Letters of State, Letters 2 · Letter 44 – Letter 56
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the moſt Serene and Potent Prince, Frederic III. King of Danemark, Norway, the Vandals and Goths; Duke of Sleſwich, Holſatia, Stormatia and Dithmarſh; Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorſt, &c.
Moſt Serene and Potent King, our deareſt Friend and Confederate,
WE receiv'd your Majeſty's Letters, dated the 16th of February, from Copenhagen, by the moſt worthy Simon de Pitkum, your Majeſty's Agent here reſiding. Which when we had perus'd, the Demonſtrations of your Majeſty's Good-will towards us, and the Importance of the Matter concerning which you write, affected us to that degree, that we deſign'd forthwith to ſend to your Majeſty ſome perſon, who being furniſh'd with ample Inſtructions from us, might more at large declare to your Majeſty our Counſels in that Affair. And tho we have ſtill the ſame Reſolutions, yet hitherto we have not been at leiſure to think of a Perſon proper to be entruſted with thoſe Commands, which the weight of the matter requires; tho in a ſhort time we hope to be more at liberty. In the mean while, we thought it not convenient any longer to delay the letting your Majeſty underſtand, that the preſent Condition of Affairs in Europe has employ'd the greateſt part of our Care and Thoughts; while for ſome years, to our great grief, we have beheld the Proteſtant Princes and Supream Magiſtrates of the Reformed Republicks, (whom it rather behoves, as being engag'd by the common Tye of Religion and Safety, to combine and ſtudy all the ways imaginable conducing to mutual defence) more and more at weakning variance among themſelves, and jealous of each other's Actions and Deſigns; putting their Friends in fear, their Enemies in hope, that the Poſture of Affairs bodes rather Enmity and Diſcord, then a firm agreement of mind to defend and aſſiſt each other. And this ſollicitude has fix'd it ſelf ſo much the deeper in our thoughts, in regard there ſeems to appear ſome ſparkles of jealouſy between your Majeſty and the King of Sweden; at leaſt, that there is not that conjunction of Affections, which our Love and Good-will in general toward the Orthodox Religion ſo importunately requires; your Majeſty, perhaps, ſuſpecting that the Trade of your Dominions will be prejudic'd by the King of Sweden; and on the other ſide, the King of Sweden being jealous, that by your means the War, which he now wages, is made more difficult, and that you oppoſe him in his contracting thoſe Alliances which he ſeeks. 'Tis not unknown to your Majeſty, ſo eminent for your profound Wiſdom, how great the Danger is that threatens the Proteſtant Religion, ſhould ſuch Suſpicions long continue between two ſuch Potent Monarchs; more eſpecially, which God avert, if any ſymptom of Hoſtility ſhould break forth. However it be, for our parts, as we have earneſtly exhorted the King of Sweden, and the States of the Vnited Provinces to Peace, and moderate Counſels (and are beyond expreſſion glad to behold Peace and Concord renew'd between them; for that the Heads of that League are tranſmitted to us by their Lordſhips, the States-General) ſo we thought it our duty, and chiefly becoming our Friendſhip, not to conceal from your Majeſty what our Sentiments are concerning theſe matters, (more eſpecially being ſo affectionately invited ſo to do by your Majeſty's moſt Friendly Letters; which we look upon, and embrace, as a moſt ſingular Teſtimony of your Good-will toward us) but to lay before your eyes, how great a neceſſity Divine Providence has impos'd upon us all, that profeſs the Proteſtant Religion, to ſtudy Peace among our ſelves, and that chiefly at this time, when our moſt embittered Enemies ſeem to have on every ſide conſpir'd our deſtruction. There's no neceſſity of calling to remembrance the Valleys of Piemont ſtill beſmear'd with the Blood and Slaughter of the miſerable Inhabitants; nor Auſtria, tormented at the ſame time with the Emperor's Decrees and Proſcriptions; nor the impetuous Onſets of the Popiſh upon the Proteſtant Switzers. Who can be ignorant, that the Artifices and Machinations of the Spaniards, for ſome years laſt paſt, have fill'd all theſe places with the confus'd and blended havock of Fire and Sword? To which unfortunate Pile of Miſeries, if once the Reformed Brethren ſhould come to add their own Diſſentions among themſelves, and more eſpecially two ſuch Potent Monarchs, the chiefeſt part of our ſtrength, and among whom ſo large a Proviſion of the Proteſtants Security and Puiſſance lies ſtor'd and hoarded up againſt Times of Danger, moſt certainly the Intereſts of the Proteſtants muſt go to ruine, and ſuffer a total and irrecoverable Eclipſe. On the other ſide, If Peace continue firmly fix'd between two ſuch powerful Neighbours, and the reſt of the Orthodox Princes; if we would but make it our main ſtudy to abide in Brotherly Concord, there would be no cauſe, by God's aſſiſtance, to fear neither the force nor ſubtilty of our Enemies; all whoſe Endeavours, and laborious Toils, our Union alone would be able to diſſipate and fruſtrate. Nor do we queſtion, but that your Majeſty, as you are freely willing, ſo your willingneſs will be conſtant in contributing your utmoſt Aſſiſtance to procure this bleſſed Peace. To which purpoſe, we ſhall be moſt ready to communicate, and join our Counſels with your Majeſty; profeſſing a real and cordial Friendſhip, and not only determin'd inviolably to obſerve the Amity ſo auſpiciouſly contracted between us, but as God ſhall enable us, to bind our preſent Alliance with a more ſtrict and Fraternal Bond. In the mean time, the ſame Eternal God grant all things proſperous and ſucceſsful to your Majeſty. From our Caurt at White-Hall, Decem.—1656.
Your Majeſties moſt cloſely united by Friendſhip, Alliance and Good-will, Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the moſt Serene and Illuſtrious Prince and Lord, the Lord William, Lantgrave of Heſs, Prince of Herefeldt, Count in Cutzenellebogen, Decia Ligenhain, Widda and Schaunburg, &c.
Moſt Serene Prince,
WE had return'd an Anſwer to your Letters ſent us now near a Twelvemonth ſince, for which we beg your Highneſſes pardon, had not many, and thoſe the moſt Important Affairs of the Republick under our care, conſtrain'd us to this unwilling ſilence. For what Letters could be more grateful to us, then thoſe which are written from a moſt Religius Prince, deſcended from Religious Anceſtors, in order to ſettle the Peace of Religion, and the Harmony of the Church? Which Letters attribute to us the ſame Inclinations, the ſame Zeal to promote the Peace of Chriſtendom, not only in your own, but in the Opinion and Judgment of almoſt all the Chriſtian World, and which we are moſt highly glad to find ſo univerſally aſcrib'd to our ſelves. And how far our Endeavours have been ſignal formerly throughout theſe Three Kingdoms, and what we have effected by our Exhortations, by our Sufferings, by our Conduct, but chiefly by Divine Aſſiſtance, the greateſt part of our People both well know, and are ſenſible of, in a deep tranquility of their Conſciences. The ſame Peace we have wiſh'd to the Churches of Germany, whoſe Diſſentions have been too ſharp, and of too too long endurance; and by our Agent Dury, for many years in vain endeavouring the ſame Reconciliation, we have cordially offer'd whatever might conduce on our part to the ſame purpoſe. We ſtill perſevere in the ſame Determinations, and wiſh the ſame Fraternal Charity one among another, to thoſe Churches. But how difficult a task it is to ſettle peace among thoſe Sons of Peace, as they give out themſelves to be, to our extream grief, we more then abundantly underſtand. For that the Reformed, and thoſe of the Auguſtan Confeſſion, ſhould cement together in a Communion of one Church, is hardly ever to be expected: 'Tis impoſſible by force to prohibit either from defending their Opinions, whether in private Diſputes, or by publick Writings. For Force can never conſiſt with Eccleſiaſtical Tranquility. This only were to be wiſh'd, that they who differ, would ſuffer themſelves to be entreated, that they would diſagree more civilly and with more moderation; and notwithſtanding their Diſputes, Love one another; not imbitter'd againſt each other as Enemies, but as Brethren, diſſenting onelyonly in Trifles, though in the Fundamentals of Faith moſt cordially agreeing. With inculcating and perſwading theſe things, we ſhall never be wearied; beyond that, there is nothing allow'd to human Force or Counſels: God will accompliſh his own work in his own time. In the mean while, you, moſt Serene Prince, have left behind ye a noble teſtimony of your Affection to the Churches, an eternal Monument becoming the Vertue of your Anceſtors, and an Exemplar worthy to be follow'd by all Princes. It only then remains for us to implore the Merciful and Great God to Crown your Highneſs with all the Proſperity in other things which you can wiſh for; but not to change your Mind, then which you cannot have a better, ſince a better cannot be, nor more Piouſly devoted to his Glory. Weſtm. March—1656.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the moſt Serene Prince, the Duke of Curland.
Moſt Serene Prince,
WE have bin abundantly ſatiſfi'd of your Affection to us, as well at other times, as when you kindly entertain'd our Embaſſador in his Journey to the Duke of Muſcovy, for ſome days together making a ſtop in your Territories: Now we are no leſs confident that your Highneſs will give us no leſs obliging Teſtimonies of your Juſtice and Equity, as well out of your own Good nature, as at our requeſt. For we are given to underſtand, That one John Johnſon, a Scotchman, and Maſter of a certain Ship of yours, having faithfully diſcharg'd his Duty for 7 years together in the Service of your Highneſs, as to your Highneſs is well known, at length deliver'd the ſaid Ship, call'd the Whale, in the Mouth of the River, according as the Cuſtome is, to one of your Pilots, by him to be carried ſafe into Harbour. But it ſo fell out, that the Pilot being ignorant of his Duty, though frequently Warned and Admoniſh'd by the ſaid Johnſon, as he has prov'd by ſeveral Witneſſes, the ſaid Ship ran aground and ſplit to pieces, not through any fault of the Maſter, but through the want of Skill, or Obſtinacy of the Pilot. Which being ſo, we make it our earneſt requeſt to your Highneſs, That neither the ſaid Shipwrack may be imputed to the foremention'd Johnſon, the Maſter, nor that he may upon that account be depriv'd of the Wages due to him; by the onelyonly enjoyment of which, he having lately ſuffer'd another misfortune at Sea, he hopes however to ſupport and comfort himſelf in the extremity of his Wants. From our Court at Weſtm. March—1657.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the moſt Noble the Conſuls and Senators of the Republick of Dantzick.
Moſt Noble and Magnificent, our deareſt Friends,
WE have always eſteem'd your City, flouriſhing in Induſtry, Wealth, and ſtudious Care to promote all uſeful Arts and Sciences, fit to be compar'd with any the moſt Noble Cities of Europe. Now in regard that in this War, that has long bin hovering about your Confines, you have rather choſen to ſide with the Polanders, then with the Swedes; we are moſt heartily deſirous, that for the ſake of that Religion which you embrace, and of your ancient Commerce with the Engliſh, you would chiefly adhere to thoſe Counſels, which may prove moſt agreeable to the Glory of God, and the Dignity and Splendour of your City. Wherefore we intreat ye, for the ſake of that Friendſhip which has bin long eſtabliſh'd between your ſelves and the Engliſh Nation, and if our Reputation have obtaine'd any favour or eſteem among ye, to ſet at Liberty Count Conismark, conſpicuous among the Principal of the Swediſh Captains, and a Perſon ſingularly fam'd for his Conduct in War, but by the Treachery of his own People ſurpris'd at Sea; wherein you will do no more then what the Laws of War, not yet exaſperated to the heighth, allow; or if you think this is not ſo agreeable to your Intereſts, that you will however deem him worthy a more eaſy and leſs ſevere Confinement. Which of theſe two Favours ſoever you ſhall determin to grant us, you will certainly perform an act becoming the Reputation of your City, and highly oblige beſides the moſt famous Warriers and moſt eminent Captains of all Parties; and laſtly, lay upon our ſelves an obligation not the meaneſt; and perhaps it may be worth your Intereſt to gratify us. From our Court at Weſtm. April—1657.
Your Lordſhips moſt Affectionate, Oliver, &c.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c. To the moſt Serene aud Potent Prince and Lord, Emperor and great Duke of all Ruſſia, ſole Lord of Volodomaria, Moſcow and Novograge, King of Cazan, Aſtracan and Syberia, Lord of Vobſcow, great Duke of Smolensko, Tuerſcoy, and other Places. Lord and great Duke of Novogrod, and the Lower Provinces of Chernigoy, Rezanſco and others. Lord of all the Northern Climes; alſo Lord of Everſco, Cartalinſca, and many other Places.
ALL men know how Ancient the Friendſhip, and how vaſt the Trade has bin for a long train of years between the Engliſh Nation and the People of your Empire: But that ſingular Vertue, moſt Auguſt Emperor, which in your Majeſty far outſhines the Glory of your Anceſtors; and the high Opinion which all the Neighbouring Princes have of it, more eſpecially moves us to pay a more then ordinary Veneration and Affection to your Majeſty, and to deſire the imparting of ſome things to your Conſideration, which may conduce to the Good of Chriſtendome and your own Intereſts. Wherefore, we have ſent the moſt Accompliſh'd Richard Bradſhaw, a perſon of whoſe Fidelity, Integrity, Prudence, and Experience in Affairs, we are well aſſur'd, as having bin imploy'd by us in ſeveral other Negotiations of this nature, under the Character of our Agent to your Majeſty; to the end he may more at large make known to your Majeſty our ſingular Good will and high Reſpect toward ſo Puiſſant a Monarch, and Tranſact with your Majeſty concerning the matters above-mention'd. Him therefore we requeſt your Majeſty favourably to receive in our Name, and as often as ſhall be requiſite to grant him free Acceſs to your Perſon, and no leſs gracious Audience; and laſtly, to give the ſame credit to him in all things which he ſhall Propoſe or Negotiate, as to our ſelves if we were perſonally preſent. And ſo we beſeech Almighty God to Bleſs your Majeſty and the Ruſſian Empire with all Proſperity. From our Court at Weſtm. April—1657.
Your Majeſty's moſt Affectionate, Oliver, Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the Moſt Serene and Potent Prince Charles Guſtavus, King of the Swedes, Goths, and Vandals, &c.
Moſt Serene and Potent King, our deareſt Friend and Confederate,
THE moſt Honourable William Jepſon, Collonel of Horſe, and a Senator in our Parlament, who will have the Honour to deliver theſe Letters to your Majeſty, will make known to your Majeſty, with what diſturbance and grief of Mind we receiv'd the News of the fatal War broke out between your Majeſty and the King of Danemark, and how much it is our cordial and real endeavour, not to neglect any labour or duty of ours, as far as God enables us, that ſome ſpeedy remedy may be appli'd to this growing Miſchief, and thoſe Calamites averted, which of neceſſity this War will bring upon the Common Cauſe of Religion; more eſpecially at this time, now that our Adverſaries unite their Forces and pernicious Counſels againſt the Profeſſion and Profeſſors of the Orthodox Faith. Theſe and ſome other Conſiderations of great importance to the Benefit and Publick Intereſts of both Nations, have induc'd us to ſend this Gentleman to your Majeſty under the Character of our Extraordinary Envoy. Whom we therefore deſire your Majeſty kindly to receive, and to give Credit to him in all things which he ſhall have to impart to your Majeſty in our Name; as being a Perſon in whoſe Fidelity and Prudence we very much confide. We alſo farther requeſt, That your Majeſty will be pleas'd fully to aſſure your ſelf of our Goodwill and moſt undoubted Zeal, as well toward your Majeſty, as for the Proſperity of your Affairs. Of which we ſhall be readily prepar'd with all imaginable willingneſs of mind to give unqueſtionable Teſtimonies upon all occaſions. From our Court at Weſtminſter, Auguſt—1657.
Your Majeſty's Friend, and moſt ſtrictly Counited Confederate, Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the moſt Serene Prince, The Lord Frederick William, Marqueſs of Brandenburgh, High Chamberlain of the Imperial Empire, and Prince Elector, Duke of Magdeburgh, Pruſſia, Juliers, Cleves, Monts, Stettin, Pomerania, of the Caſſiubiands and Vandals, as alſo of Sileſia, Croſna, and Carnovia, Burgravae of Norrinburgh. Prince of Halberſtadt and Minda, Count of Mark and Ravensbergh, Lord in Ravenſtein.
Moſt Serene Prince, our deareſt Friend and Confederate
SUCH is the fame of your Highneſs's Vertue and Prudence both in Peace and War, and ſo loudly ſpread through all the World, That all the Princes round about are ambitious of your Friendſhip; nor does any one deſire a more faithful or conſtant Friend and Aſſociate: Therefore to the end your Highneſs may know that we are alſo in the number of thoſe that have the higheſt and moſt honourable Thoughts of your Perſon and Merits, ſo well deſerving of the Commonwealth of Chriſtendome; we have ſent the moſt Worthy Col. Will. Jepſon, a Senator in our Parlament, in our Name to kiſs your Majeſties hands, and with all to wiſh the continuance of all Proſperity to your Affairs, and in Words at large to expreſs our Good-will and Affection to your Serenity; and therefore make it our requeſt, That you will vouchſafe to give him Credit in thoſe matters concerning which he has Inſtructions to Treat with your Majeſty, as if all things were Atteſted and Confirm'd by our Perſonal Preſence. From our Court at White-Hall, Auguſt—1657.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the moſt Noble the Conſuls and Senators of the City of Hamborough.
Moſt Noble, moſt Magnificent and Worthy,
THE moſt Accompliſh'd, Collonel William Jepſon, a Senator in our Parlament, being ſent by us to the moſt Serene King of Sweden, is to Travel through your City; and therefore we have given him in Command, not to paſs by your Lordſhips Unſaluted in our Name; and withall to make it our requeſt, That you will be ready to Aſſiſt him upon whatſoever occaſion he ſhall think it requiſite to crave the Aid of your Authority and Counſel. Which the more willingly you ſhall do, the more you ſhall find you have acquir'd our Favour. From our Court at Weſtminſter, Auguſt—1657.
To the moſt Noble the Conſuls and Senators of the City of Breme.
HOW great our Affection is toward your City, how particular our Good-will, as well upon the account of your Religion, as for the celebrated Splendor of your City, as formerly you have found, ſo when occaſion offers, you ſhall be farther ſenſible. At preſent, in regard the moſt Accompliſh'd Collonel, William Jepſon, a Senator in our Parlament, is to Travel through Bremen with the Character of our Envoy Extraordinary to the King of Sweden, 'tis our Pleaſure that he ſalute your Lordſhips lovingly and friendly in our Name: and that if any accident fall out, wherein your Aſſiſtance and Friendſhip may be ſerviceable to him, that he may have free Admiſſion to deſire it, upon the ſcore of our Alliance. Wherein we are confident you will the leſs be wanting, by how much the more reaſon you will have to be aſſur'd of our ſingular Love and Kindneſs for your Lordſhips. From our Court at White-Hall, Auguſt —1657.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the moſt Noble the Senators and Conſuls of the City of Lubeck.
Moſt Noble, Magnificent, and Right Worſhipful our deareſt Friends,
COllonel William Jepſon, a Perſon of great Honour, and a Senator in our Parlament, is to paſs with the Character of a Publick Miniſter from your City to the King of Sweden, encamping not far from it. Wherefore we deſire your Lordſhips, that if occaſion require, upon the account of the Friendſhip and Commerce between us, you will be Aſſiſtant to him in his Journey through your City, and the Territories under your Juriſdiction. As to what remains, it is our farther pleaſure, That you be Saluted in our Name, and that you be aſſur'd of our Goodwill and ready Inclinations to ſerve your Lordſhips. From our Court at Weſtminſter, Auguſt—1657.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the City of Hamborough.
Moſt Noble, Magnificent, and Right Worſhipful,
PHilip Meadows, who brings theſe Letters to your Lordſhips, is to Travel through your City, with the Character of our Agent, to the King of Danemark. Therefore we moſt earneſtly recommend him to your Lordſhips, that if any occaſion ſhould happen for him to deſire it, you would be ready to Aid him with your Authority and Aſſiſtance: And we deſire that this our Recommendation may have the ſame weight at preſent with your Lordſhips as formerly it wont to have; nor ſhall we be wanting to your Lordſhips, upon the ſame Opportunities. From our Court at White-Hall, Auguſt—1657.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England &c. To the moſt Sereae Prince Frederick Heir of Norway, Duke of Sleſwic, Holſatia, and Ditmarſh, Count in Oldenburgh and Delmenhorſt.
Moſt Serene Prince, our deareſt Friend,
COllonel William Jepſon, a Perſon truly Noble in his Countrey, and a Senator in our Parlament, is ſent by us, as our Envoy Extraordinary to the moſt Serene King of Sweden; and may it prove Happy and Proſperous for the common Peace and Intereſts of Chriſtendome. We have given him Inſtructions, among other things, That in his Journey, after he has Kiſs'd your Serenities hands in our Name, and declar'd our former Good-will and conſtant Zeal for your Welfare, to requeſt of your Serenity alſo, That being Guarded with your Authority, he may Travel with Safety and Convenience through your Territories. By which kind act of Civility your Highneſs will in a greater meaſure oblige us to returns of anſwerable Kindneſs. From our Court at Weſtm. Auguſt—1657.
Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c. To the moſt Serene Prince, Ferdinand Great Duke of Tuſcany.
Moſt Serene Great Duke, our deareſt Friend,
THE Company of our Merchants, Trading to the Eaſtern Coaſts of the Mediterranean Sea, by their Petition to us have ſet forth, That William Ellis, Maſter of a Ship call'd the Little Lewis, being at Alexandria in Egypt, was hir'd by the Baſha of Memphis, to carry Rice, Sugar, and Coffee, either to Conſtantinople or Smyrna, for the uſe of the Grand Seignior; but that contrary to his Faith and Promiſe given, he bore away privately from the Ottoman Fleet, and brought his Ship and Lading to Leghorn; where now he lives in Poſſeſſion of his Prey. Which Villanous Act, being of dangerous Example, as expoſing the Chriſtian Name to ſcandal, and the Fortunes of our Merchants living under the Turks to Violence and Ranſack; we therefore make it our requeſt to your Highneſs, That you will give Command that the ſaid Maſter be Apprehended and Impriſon'd, and that the Veſſel and Goods may remain under ſeizure, till we ſhall have given notice of our care, for the reſtitution of thoſe Goods to the Sultan: Aſſuring your Highneſs of our readineſs to make ſuitable returns of gratitude whenever opportunity preſents it ſelf. From our Court at Weſtm. Septemb.—1657.
Your Highneſs's moſt Affectionate, Oliver Protector of the Commonwealth of England, &c.