State Papers, 1649: July-December

July-December

Die Sabbathi 14 Julii, 1649.

Vol. i. p. 651.

Whereas this house did order the fifth day of October 1647, (fn. 1) one hundred pounds quarterly to be paid out of the revenues unto James Usher, doctor in divinity, for his present support, and subsistance, and incouragement in his studies, during the space of one year, which expired the fifth of October 1648; it is this day ordered by the commons assembled in parliament, that the same allowance shall be paid unto him for the time past from the said fifth of October last, and shall be continued for the space of six months now next coming, and paid unto the said James Usher by the committee of publick revenue, beginning from the fifth of October last past.

Endorsed, The 1. primates orders given him upon the taking from him the custodium of the bishoprick of Carlile, which he enjoyed about two years and a quarter for his encouragement in writing, &c.

Hen. Scobell, cler. parl.

Sir William Boswell's memorial to the states general.

Exhibé le 30 de Juillet, 1649. [N.S.] Aux hauts et puiss. seig. les estats generaux des provinces unies du Pays Bas. Par le resid. du roy de la Grande Bretagne.

Vol. i. p. 707.

Remonstrant,
Que le dict resident ayant entendu, que le sieur Walter Strickland, a presenté n'y a gueres des lettres credentielles pour estre receu deputé & resident pres de leur S S. de la part (comme l'on pretend) du parlement d'Angleterre; & en poursuitte d'icelles a demandé audience publique de leur S S. le dict resident prie bien instamment leurs S S. de serieusement considerer, comme les predecesseurs de sa majesté ont toujours esté bons amis & alliez de leurs S. S. & quelles demonstrations ils ont faictes de temps en temps de bienvueillance & amitié sincere dans les occasions pour le service de cest estat; & aussi combien dangereuses peuvent estre les consequences de toutes innovations, tant au regard de ce royaume là, qu'au regard de leurs S S. & la dessus de ne rien ordonner ou permettre, qui puisse aucunement ensraindre la bonne correspondence entre sa majesté & cest estat, ou tant foit peu diminuer la grandeur & dignité de ses couronnes, & empescher le restablissement de fa majesté royale. En quoy elles ne feront qu'un acte d'honneur & justice, lequel leur S S. s'en peuvent bien asseurer que fa majesté ne manquera pas de recognoistre en toutes opportunitez pour l'advantage & bien de cest estat.

Estoit signé, Guill. Boswel, resid.

Christina queen of Sweden, to the States General. (fn. 2)

Vol. i. p. 719.

NOS Christina, Dei gratia Suecorum, Gotthorum, Vandalorumque designata regina, ac princeps hæreditaria, magna princeps Finlandiæ, dux Esthoniæ, & Careliæ Ingriæque domina, &c. celsis & potentibus bonis amicis & fœderatis D D. ord. generalibus uniti Belgii falutem & prosperitatem successus.

Celsi ac potentes, boni amici ac fœderati, percrebuit ex aliquo jam tempore rumor, tractari inter serenissimum Daniæ regem & vos fœdus, illi, quod nobis vobiscum jam diu intercessit, atque etiam nunc intercedit, in multis plane adversum. Rumorem non augent modo, sed & (fn. 3) amplent vulgati hinc inde novi illius fœderis articuli. Nos quidem optime nobis consciæ sumus fœderis nostri mutui fanctè exactéque a nobis servati, ut fugiat nos de vobis aversum animum ullo modo meruisse. Undè tanto magis nobis hæc res accidit insperato, quanto ex articulis luculentiùs deprehendi licuit in nos & subditos incolasve regni nostri tractatus hosce cudi, & grave nobis inde præjudicium accelerari, quippe qui ipsam omnino substantiam & fœderis nostri genuinam intentionem subvertunt; neque enim obscurè apparet eo fœdere nos impeti, comprehensis illo istis conventionibus, quas cum Hanseaticis civitatibus iniistis, istis vero fœderis tractatibus, quos nobiscum An. 1640 concludi, & An. insuper 1645 renovari & prorogari, præter omnem nostram expectationem & culpam penitus inde exclusis; ut cætera, quæ cum fœdere nostro pugnant, silentio in præsens prætereamus. Hæc pauca dum attingimus, nulla vobis erit causa existimandi a nobis rationem & modum pangendi cum aliis fœderis vobis utpote reipublicæ liberæ præscribi; saltem interesse nostrum mutuum & summa vestra obligatio id à nobis requirere visa sunt, ut vos hujusce tempestivè commonefaceremus, eâ fretæ siduciâ fore, ut eò rem singulari vestrâ prudentiâ dirigatis, & pariter caveatis ac prospiciatis, ne sœdus & amicitia nostra mutua e nova aliqua conventione cum aliis vobis ineunda ullum detrimentum capiat, quin potius in vigore & firma invicem consistentia sine ulla labefactatione permaneat, & observetur, prout nostro consiliario finantiarum & apud vos residenti, nobili nobis sincere sideli Petro Spiringio Silbercrona hæreditario in Norsholm mandavimus literas hasce nostras vobis offerre, & animi nostri sensa super hac re plenius exponere, nec non responsum vestrum desuper sollicitare, idque ad nos quam primum deferre. Quod si contigerit ipsum ante abiisse, & ad nos se recepisse, quam præsentes litteræ nostræ allatæ fuerint, injunximus commissario nostro nobili nobis sincere sideli Haroldo Appelbohm eas vobis insinuare, & responsum vestrum ad illas sollicitare, idque nobis huc quantocius transmittere. Atque hisce vos divinæ protectioni amicè commendamus. Dabantur in regia nostra Stockholmensi die 31 Aug. An. 1649.

Vestra bona amica & fœderata,
Christina.

Mr. Strickland, the English resident at the Hague, to the states of Holland and West-friesland.

Aux hauts & puissants seig. les estats d'Hollande & Westfrise.

Vol. i. p. 711.

Hauts & puissants seig.
J'ay usé de toute la patience possible pour attendre la resolution de leurs hautes puissances les estats generaux, touchant mon audience en la qualité de resident de la republique d'Angleterre. Mais ayant observé qu'on ne faict que me delayer de maniere, qu'il me semble de tenir plustost de quelque indisposition à mon employ que de la difficulté de l'affaire, pour ce qu'on donne audience assez promptement à ceux qui font authorisez d'agir contre la republique d'Angleterre, non obstant la difficulté, qu'on trouve en ma reception; Mess. ayant consideré une conduicte si inegale, & que ni l'affection que le parlement a tousjours temoigné aux interests de provinces unies, ni l'honneur que les ministres publiques de cest estat reçoivent en Angleterre, n'ont pas esté des motiss assez bastantes pour persuader, qu'on use du mesme respect vers ceux, qui font employez ici de la part de la republique d'Angleterre, le parlement a esté induict de me commander de retourner, en cas qu'on ne voudroit expedier l'affaire de mon audience, comme on est accustumé de faire aux autres, & comme l'Angleterre mesme faict aux ministres de cest estat, pour leur informer plus particulierement de ma negotiation, asin de prendre telles resolutions, qui feront à la bienseance de leurs affaires. Quoy qu'en arrive, le parlement a de quoy se justifier devant tout le monde, en ayant faict de sa part les offices convenables pour entretenir l'ancienne amitié & correspondence, laquelle à esté si utile à cest estat, lesquelles estant negligez, le parlement aura de quoy se justement resentir, sans estre inconstant en son affection, y estant obligé en honneur & prudence. J'espere, que vos seig. trouveront quelque expedient pour remedier au prejudice, qu'en peut arriver à vos plus chers & considerables interests; car il sera impossible de maintenir le commerce & l'amitié au contentement reciproque, sans avoir des ministres publiques authorisez de part & d'autre, qui par leur addresse peuvent vuyder les differences, & prevenir les mal-entenduz qui necessairement arriveront, soit pour le faict de la traffique, ou autrement; ce qui sera effectuellement faict, s'il plaira à leurs hautes puissances les estats generaux de me donner audience favourable; & que vos seig. prendront en deliberation la proposition presentée à vos seig. le vingtuniesme Juillet 1649. Vous voyez, mess. ce que j'ay eu a cœur durant mon employ en ces pays icy, nosmement de contribuer tout ce que j'ay peu pour le bien commun de l'Angleterre & les provinces unies, en quoy faisant les faveurs devos seig. m'ont donné beaucoup de satisfaction, dont je rend à vos seig. mes tres humbles remerciements, & en fairai rapport au parlement, & continueray toute ma vie de desirer la prosperité de cest estat & de vos seig. & auray pour tres-agreable de tesmoigner la sincerité de mon affection par la fidelité de mes services.

La Haye, Sept. 4. 1649. [N. S.]

Mr. Strickland to pensioner Boome at Amsterdam.

Vol. i. p. 725.

Honored Sir,
Thomas Crawford, an English man who hath lived long in Amsterdam, hath been with me, and complains of much hard usage by having had his goods taken from him, and a sentence given lately against him, by which he is put out of Amsterdam, which disenables him to recover his goods and other debts due to him. Hee hath an intent to goe into England to endeavour, by applying himselfe to those in authority there, to have his case taken into consideration, and redressed by such waies as are usuall betwixt states which are in friendship. He affirms very confidently, that hee is not justly blameable for any ill carriage whatsoever, but that his enemies do falsely asperse him with things, which are not true. He desires mee to desire on his behalse, that he may know in particular, what was the cause of taking away and detention of his goods, and of the late sentence passed against him to put him out of the towne of Amsterdam. I conceave these desires, according to the law of all nations, which are in friendship, are just and reasonable, that neither any man's goods shall bee taken from him but upon just cause, nor his freedome of being in any towne or place within the authority of those who are in friendship denied him, without a particular offence to deprive him of what else is due to all of his nation: and that if any perticular offence or misdemeanour be alleadg'd as a ground to deprive him of the possession of his goods, or freedome of being in any place within the jurisdiction of the states, the cause of such sentence or judgement ought to be made knowne to him, that soe he may the better make his justification, and my selfe the better know how to give an account to those in authority in England, when I am required to informe them of his case in particular; and that the rather because he tells me he entends to addresse himselfe to the parliament, who are to heare the just complaints of any Englishman, and to endeavour to do them right by such wayes as are usuall in things of like nature. I doubt not but you will doe what is just, and recommend the same to those, whome it may concerne in Amsterdam. I remaine,
Hagh, Sept. 6th, 1649. [N. S.]

Your affectionate frind and servant,
Walter Strickland.

Mr. Strickland to Mr. Frost, secretary to the council of state.

Vol. i. p. 713.

Sir,
Yours of the 24th of August is cum to my handes. I writ to you by my last, that I would not cum away without giving notice of my cuming to the states, which I have done by writing to the States Generall, and to those of Holland, intimating to both, that my not haveing audience of the States Generall in quality of resident of the common wealth of England was the cause of my desir to returne, to give an account to the parliament, who would then take such further resolutions as should be necessary. The states of Holland have bin with the States Generall, and pressed them to give me audience, and given them reasons why they ought to doe it; but as I am informed, most of the States Generall doe yet continew to answer, that they cannot doe it without order from their principalls. Whatever cum of it, I have gained much in gaineing this, that the states of Holland, who are soe considerable, have not onely given me audience, but insisted upon it, that the rest ought to doe soe. Allsoe I hope the councell of state will release the shippe, which was taken at Kingsayle, which was desired by the states of Holland in thire assembly, the president of that assembly being sent to my howse in the name of the States the day after I required audience of the states of Hollande, and had it, in which I tould them, I had recommended the business of the shippe taken at Kingsayle to the councell of state, according to thir desir; that I knew the parliament and councell of state would be disposed to favour any thinge, which was recommended by them; but I must needes tell them, that Vander Eynde being sent into Ireland as a publicke minister, was a wrong to the parliament of England, there being noe power in any personne in Ireland to treate with a publicke minister, Ireland de pending upon England, and that power was now in the parliament of England, and noe where els; and therefore noe treaty with any in Ireland, much less with prince Rupert, was of any effect or validity. In the next place I tould them, Kingsayle was beseiged, and Vander Eynde, as I was informed, was to treate thinges prejudiciall to the parliament, and which tended to hinder the reduction of the place; which the States denyed for any thing they knew, onely to reclaime some shipps taken from them by prince Rupert. In the last place I tould them, thire captaines did soe often acte by commissions received from others, if not from them, thinges to the advantage of our ennimys, as was manifest, that we had such a just jealousie over all thire shipps, that til they gave more punctuall orders, that thire captaines did not acte thinges against us, we could not consider them, as we did for friendes. This discourse, as I am tould, caused the same day a meshinger to be sent to Saint Germain's to major Payen from the prince, not to acte thinges subject to complaint. You know his commission is not patent; the States know noe thing of it; but he that imployes him, apprehendes it may doe him hurt, if it be declared heere. In the next place, all possible endeavor will be used from the prince of Oringe, to make the Scots and thire king to close, hopeing by that means to carrie all heere; but I believe he will be mistaken for reasons I will not writ. But, sir, pray let me intreate you to perswade all you can, that this shipp may be released at the request of the states of Holland, and you will find considerable effects of it; which I will tell you when we meet. For the shippe of Medynblicke, it wholly concernes the townes-men of that towne; they are your singular friendes heere in the assembly of the States; and I must styll recommend, that some favour may be done in it, and that be declared to be favour, and that in justice she was consiscable, and all in her. I will not trouble you with particulars, but in my judgement, noething out of England and Ireland concernes you more, then to keep your interest heere in the provinciall states of Holland, without whom I am sure noe considderable thinge can be done against you, though you now here have powerfull ennimys. Pray let this be really thought of, and it is a principall thinge worth your thoughts. I cannot cum over without a good shippe; the Irish are strong upon these coasts, and have taken six shipps, as I am informed, from Newcastell men and Hull men. Some say one captaine Coppin, who was the convoyer, did not his duty well; but they were thre in nomber. If any convoy cum over, or the counsell of state send me a shippe, I will cum away. In the meane time I will doe the best I can to doe thinges tending to the publick interest, whilst the provinciall states of Holland are assembled, which will be yet a fortnight, or more. In the meane time pray give not over writing, til I fee you. If any letter cum when I am gon, my wife will keep it carefully, who cannot cum over with me. The treaty with Denmarke will shortly be concluded. Luke will be not foe good a neighbour to the states as it was, being in the handes of the brother of the duke of Bavaria, the elec. of Coglogne. They are likewise busye about thire affaires in the West Indyes. The resident of Sweeden, Spireing, is goeing home, and is now takeing leave of the States: some other will be in his place. I hope when I cum, we shall set your affaires heere upon a better foote. I will tel you, wher the mistery of iniquity lies; you must studdy a cure; but whatever you doe, you must keep your friendes, and not suffer your ennimys to be interessed more then they are; for I conceive they have noe cure but heere. I send you the proposition made in the assembly of the states of Holland in French. I have sent the translation in my letter to the counsell of state. Our ennimys were amayzed at the newse of Ireland, and your friendes were glad. I hope the Lord will carrie on his owne worke, and destroy the ennimys of the Lambe. Pray, sir, send this to Dr. Dorislaus sonne. You write me noethinge about his businesses. I am, sir,
Hagh, Sept. 9./Aug. 30. 1649.

Your humble and faithfull friende and servant,
Walter Strickland.

Mr. Strickland to the council of state.

Vol. i. p. 771.

Right Honorable,
Heere are none of the parliament ships in these parts. Till some of them come, either as convoy to some other ships, or be sent on purpose to bring me over, I cannot come; for the Irish men of warre and others, who have commissions to take all that have reference to the parliament, are frequent upon the seas: three of them keepe much together, and, as I am informed, did lately take six shipps belonging to Newcastle and Hull, though they had a convoy. The merchants, who are concerned in the ships, that come hitherward, doe much desire, that some of your men of warre, sufficient to take those ships, might be commanded to look after them about Ostend and Dunkirk, where they doe either directly, or by way of conniveance, not only receive the prizes they bring in, but, as I am inform'd, give way to the felling of them; a thing no way to be suffer'd. I humbly desire, if any of the parliament ships come into these parts, they may have order to give me notice, and bring me over; for I am not willing to come in any Dutch-man, it being neyther honourable for you, nor safe for me, considering the power some great ones have in the Dutch captains. The states of Holland wil be yet assembled about a fornight (fn. 4). They have pressed the States General to give me audience, but I thinke they will not do it for the present, saying, they have not yet received the order of their principalls, and till then they cannot do it. I send your honours a coppy of the proposition I made to the states of Holland, when I gave them notice of your order for my returne. I hope your honours will gratify the states of Holland with releasing the ship taken at Kingsale, for they deserve all respect from you. The other side would do that, and much more, to dispose them to their interest. When I come over, I shall let your honours know things concerning you, which are not so sit to be written. I cannot but desire some favour for the ship of Medenblicke some way or other; all the owners being your very good frinds, as I shall inform you more fully, when I come over. What can be done in your affaires here, I shall not sayle to doe, as long as I stay heere. The States are neere an end with the treaty with Denmark, and are busy about their businesses in the West Indies. The towne of Luyck is taken by the elector of Cologne (fn. 5), which is very neere Maestricht. It was wont to be thought the interest of the States to maintain that party, which was opposite to the electour, who is brother to the duke of Bavaria, who is of the Spanish side. But now they begin to thinke they have reason as much to suspect the French as the Spaniard. I have written to Mr. Frost something, which I said to the states of Holland in their full assembly concerning the States sending to treat with the Irish, and their captains employing themselves to the disservice of the parliament. I will not trouble your honours with repetition, but leave Mr. Frost to informe you, which I shall do more fully at my returne. I shall trouble your honours no further at present, but humbly take my leave, and remaine,
Right honourable,
Hagh, Sept. 9/Aug. 30. 1649.

Your honours most humble servant,
Walter Strickland.

Extract of the resolutions of the States of Holland and West-friesland, passed in the assembly of their noble and great mightinesles, on Thursday, September 9 1649. [O. S.]

Exhibited and read September 10^th 1649. [N. S.]

Vol. i. p. 729.

The counsellour pensionary did make a report to the assembly, that the resident Strickland had this day declared to him, that he had received to day repeated orders from the lords his masters, forthwith to sett out for England, to make his report there of what had happened, in relation to his memorials presented by him in the name of his said masters, as well to their high mightinesses as to the assembly of the lords the states of Holland and West-friesland; which being considered by the members as an affair of moment and consequence, it was thought necessary and resolved, that repeated and earnest representations should be made to the generality, to the end that the said resident Strickland may yet be admitted to an audience in the same manner, as it is customary to give to other ministers of kings, princes, and republicks; and in case the same, contrary to expectation, could not be obtained, that then the dislike and disapprobation of their noble and great mightinesses should be minuted by way of protest, which they take and declare, because the provinces, contrary to the neutrality in the present government of England, did refuse giving audience to the ministers of the same, wherefrom the rejection and refusal of Mr. Joachimi and other great inconveniencies will unavoidably arise; of all which their noble and great mightinesses find themselves obliged to give notice to the respective provinces, with request to remedy the same, or in default thereof, to enter the expostulation and protest of their noble and great mightinesses on that account. Further, it was resolved, that if it should happen as above mentioned, that then it shall be consulted in this assembly, with what answer the said resident Strickland shall be dismissed.

A letter of intelligence to the council of state.

Vol. i. p. 731.

Right honorable,
We had nuse last night from Dunckerk, that C. Stuart was come thether; howe trew, we know not.

We understand, that there is fifteen saylle of smal vessels, of four and six gonnes apese, redy to goe out from Dunkerk and Ostend, mannedged there by capt. Whittington, and Mr. Aymes, and others.

There is nowe of latte fourteen saylle of Ships, as wel Duch as English, ladon with cornne, colles, and other goods, brought into Dunkerk and Ostend, and the goods landed and soulde, and the masters forced to bye there shipes at there owne prises, or to leave them.

If spiedie care be not taken, by layinge of ships before Dunckerk and Ostind, they will growe potent, and wholly spoylle all the trade to these partes, and allso the fishinge trade, which is nowe cominge one in Englandt, and allso all trade alonge the cost from Newcastel to the Downes; which will be a bisnes of bad consequence, if not prevented timely.

We have a report here, that there is an ackt forbidinge winnes to be brought in from France. If it be not as well forbiden from Holland as France, it will imploy the Hollander, and be noe hindrance to France, and make us pay derer for the comodyty, for the advantage of this state, in customes, and particuler men in there treade.

This pieopell crye ought exedingly, that there is noe church goverment in Englandt. They have here church goverment; but the power of the minestry is in the magistrate; and if care be not taken to hinder minesters from medlinge with state-matters, thay will sonne sett all of fire. We have not ellse, but that we ar
Rotterd. 10 September [N S.] 1649.

To the right honorable the counsell of statte in Whitt Halle, these present.

Your honores most humble servants,
W. J. [Johnson.] W. E. [Emperor.]

Mr. Strickland to Mr. Walter Frost, secretary to the council of state.

Vol. i. p. 721.

Sir,
In my letter to the councell of state you will see, I have declared the commande I received to returne. I will doe the like to morrow to the states of Holland. I am resolved not to cum away, but in an open way. Since Montrose his absence, those, who appeared soe much in designs against me, are seen noe more. I believe most of them are gon, soe as I am more at liberty then I was. However my cuming over may be of use, if the councell please to returne me, I will not refuse. I have served now full seaven years; and truly I thinke worss times then I have had noe man shall ever have. I have had soe great a recommendation from the states of Holland, by the president's cuming in personne to my howse in thire name, that I hope the councell will incline to oblige them, releashing the shipp Vander Eynde was to goe to Kingsayle in; for all the strenth the parliament hath hcere, is in the states of Holland, and to deny a thinge soe much recommended by such an assembly will prejudice us much. Amsterdam is much concerned in it; noe one shippe can be of soe much consideration, as the gratifieing the states of Holland in this particular; for they assure me, she was sent bona fide to require restitution of some shipps wrongfully detayned by prince Rupert, especially one, which is at Sylley, which the governor cannot restore without prince Rupert's order. If the councell doe any thinge, declare they doe it at the mediation of the states of Holland recommended by me; and I conceive this may be for thire service, as allsoe Roselane, in which I writ soe earnestly, merely for the sake of the best friend you have heere. She, we heare, is sould at Plimouth. I have noe endes but those of the publicke in noething I doe. Be confident of that, my handes shall know noe private gaines. In seaven years all the Dutch and English, who live in Holland, cannot say, I have taken seaven pence private gaine. I hope those that know me will answer for me in this particular.

Montrose hopes to raise a thousand horss and thre thousand foote, and with them to visite his cuntremen. My lord Kenowle, who is well knowne in England, I heare, is gon to take possession of some isle in Scotland. He and Montrose perfectly hate the prævailing party in Scotland; yet the governing party have much strenthned the handes of Montrose by makeing thire king be received by them, whose commission to Montrose by that is more authenticall. The States are very busie with the treaty with Denmarke about the Sount; the custumes of which they should farme at a certaine rent, forty thousand pound a yeare. They are allsoe busie about thire affaires in the West Indyes, and are troubled that Luke or Liege is in daunger to be lost to the bishoppe of Coglogne, which is thire nighbour, and which was ever affected to them, and which they ought not to allow to cum to his handes, according to true reason of state, nor to the French, who some say will relieve them, if they be not lost; for some say they are. Sir, I am sensible of the honor the councell of state doth me to take my condition into consideration; which, whatever it be, shall ever be then most happie, when I serve them most. I am exceedingly your servant, and will ever be reddy to expresse myselfe to be really, sir,
Hagh, Sept. 2/12 1648.

Your humble servant,
Walter Strickland.

Mr. Strickland to the council of state.

Vol. i. p. 737.

Right honorable,
I Am now in a more hopefull way then ever, to give you a good account of thinges heere. The states of Holland, who gave me audience in thire assembly in the quality of resident to the common wealth of England, upon my first address to them, have since, as I writ to your honours, pressed the states generall to doe the like upon my last memoriall, of which I sent your honours a copie; but since they have not onely done so, but protested to the states generall, that they will sende into all the provinces, to know whither thire principalls doe authorise them to deny me audience or not, and that they hould themselves bound to procure me audience, and expect they procure an answer from thire principalls, and that without delay. This was done with all the circumstances of affection and honor, that I myselfe could wish or desir, the president of the states of Holland being sent up with the message, accompanied with a great nomber; for the assembly can doe noething in his absence, noe more then the parliament in the absence of the speaker. They doe appeare in this soe cordially as not one of them is against it, and therefore I may without being to confident expect, that they will either make me have audience of the states generall, and upon that fall upon the maine matter of my proposition of sending or receiveing ambassadors; or els they will take some other resolutions for the advantage of the common wealth of England, of which your honours shall heare more heareafter, or when I cum over. I suppose your honours will thinke it necessary for me not to leave this business, haveing now got thinges into soe faire a way, more hopefull then ever to answer our expectation; and I may say it is good to be honest, and trust God, for when opposition was at the highest, and my ennimys most desperate, the honest men did then most owne me and your interest, as they did after the death of Dr. Dorislaus; for I must needes say, I have ever found wisdum, honesty, and gallantry in the states of Holland, and, I may say, some value of myselfe, which hath made me able to doe some service for seaven years, at least to hinder your ennimys, who were borne up by such as were possessed of an hereditary esteeme and power, and were and are oblidged in the highest against you, and doe use and acte to the uttermost that authority to your præjudice. I humblely intreate your honors to gratifie the states of Holland in those smaller thinges of a shippe or two; and believe me, if I have any knowledge of thinges heere, it will be a foundation to cut of for ever all the hopes of your greatest ennimys, who cannot in Europe find a meanes to recover againe; and if you cut of the intayle of thire hopes heere, which I am confident is now in a faire way of doeing, for I have more grownd to assure my selfe then that you may have good hopes and better then ever heere; and whatever others may by misinformations think, belive me, you are safe in the best and most powerfull part heere. I hope I shall, erre long, give you evidence for what I say, but those who serve you heere, must be of some ability and undoubtable integrety; for the best men are jealous of all, who sayle with side windes, and I may say this is a place of as great temptation, as any in the worlde, as noething but what is not to be corrupted will keep men safe heere. I know not one, who is but upon common principills, but is your ennimy heere, or at best false to your principills, and complys with your ennimys. The last Lord's day, Price of Amsterdam, the fowlest-mouthed priest in the world, preached before the company of English marchants at Rotterdam, a fellow who makes not onely pulpits, but all places weary of his invectives against the state of England, and the counsell of state. I wish the company were either better governed, or were not at all. The deputy is a weake man, and the seacretary a cunning knave. A right reformation thire were of exelent use, for they poyson the Dutch more than any, and are now bringinge againe into the company one Foard, who was the common agent for all the malignants, and intelligencer at court to P. C. and hath got a great estate that way, for which he was declared a traitor by the parliament; and is now, as he brags, for 200l. composition, to injoy the priviledges of the company, by a composition made at London. I hope your honours will command the company at London not to admitt him heere, for he will corrupt all the rest, who are already to bad, and hath wit enough to abuse such as are honest, but not halfe soe crafty as he, for he is a serpent.

Thire is in Amsterdam a shippe, in which is much armes and ammunition, bound for Scotland, for the use of Montrose, as I am informed. If thire be any in Scotland, who desearve such an information, it were well they knew it. It is to be sent to some of the isles, some say the Orkades. Those of that nation are soe excessively my ennimyes heere, that it is high charity for me to doe any thinge, which may tende to thire service. Montrose is expected at Hambourgh. I received no letters this weeke. I desire to know your honours pleasure, what I shall doe. I hope I shall have audience of the States Generall, and then I shall put the business of the ambassage into a way, and then I shall be glad to wait on your honours, to give you an account of all, and shall returne againe, when I receive your commands; not doubting but to set your affaires heere upon such a foote, as may be for your advantage and my owne contentment, haveing never omitted any thinge, which I thought might be for your service, whatever paynes or daunger it was to me. I durst not writ this letter by any hande but my owne, for I am more than all men els to be carefull. Your honours will pardon my ill writing, and accept the faithfull services of,
Right honourable, Hagh, Sept. 16/6, 1649.

Your humble servant,
Walter Strickland.

Mr. Strickland to Mr. Walter Frost.

Vol. i. p. 743.

Sir,
The states of Holland have ever bin wise, and honest, and gallant, and have owned themselves and the interest of England more than any; but now they have outgon all they ever did, haveing sent us the president of the States, accompanied with a great nomber of the States, not onely to press the States Generall to give me audience, but to protest (fn. 6) against those that would not; that they would send into all the provinces, to know whether the deputys heere were commanded to deny me audience. This hath startled the States Generall, and will, I conceive, procure me audience of them erre long, or doe thinges as good, which I will not writ. I have not yet any opertunity to cum over, for want of a shippe. But if I had, I durst not leave things heere, haveing never yet seen them upon soe good a foote, as now they are. Believe me, sir, if I be not mistaken, thinges heere are better than ever. I have not laboured in vaine, and if I can set thinges, as I have cause to hope I shall, I will then cum over to receive the commands of the counsell of state, and give them some Informations, and then returne againe; for I may now without vainty say, I have done them some service, and may doe them more. Thire interest heere lies in a way, where I wish it, and noething but being honest to the interest that is best heere hath given me some creadit, for I have gon right, and lost willingly all, who could not speake our language. Pray, sir, doe but gratifie the states of Holland, and my life for it, P. C. who hopes onely to retrive his game from hence, shall doe noething, notwithstanding the greatness of the greatest heere. You will change your opinion of the Dutch: believe me, sir, all things considered, I have found the states of Holland noble. I have writ to the counsell of state in my owne hande, and doe all my selfe in thinges of this nature: my paines are not as other men's. Pray, sir, let the noble lord lieutenant of Ireland knowe, that if any thinge concerne his interest heere, if I may knowe it, I will effectually imbrace it; and let him be confident, his ennimys shall find less heere, then they look for; and you may, if you please, upon my creadit assure him, thinges are in a better way heere, then ever. And I hope erre long to give you proose of it, for you are safe in the hearte, which is Holland. Pray, sir, write to me. This weeke I was without letters. It is time enough to give over, when I write not to you. Some armes are shipped at Amsterdam for Montrose his use, to goe for some isle in Scotland, some say the Orcades. If thire be any remnant good, I wish they knew it. I am now the man they hate most; but that is no woonder, the English doe soe to; but I care not for them; thire hatred makes more friendes of those, who have power to doe us good. It may be my next may let you know more. I have writ you enough of Mr Jones the the deputy: no priest ever revieled the state more than Price of Amsterdam; yet he was chosen last Lord's day to preach before them. You know not the hurt that company doth; yet the counsell of state may easily quell them, if they please, by the company at London. The deputy is a weake man, the seacretary a very knave, and two or thre malignants rule all. I durst undertake, had I command, to rectifie all; but I must have order, or I can doe nothing. Pray, sir, believe, if thinges goe on as now, I hope, P. C. is gon. Let not litel thinges hinder the maine. The verses you sent me were printed heere, and have bin answered as you see: pray set him on work to reply, and send me a copie, and I will disperse them, for I can make them multiply. Believe me, sir, noe man loves you nor the common wealth more truely then,
Sir,
Hagh, Sept. 16/6, 1649.

To my honourable freind, Walter Frost esq; at Whitehall.

Your humble servant,
Walter Strickland.

To the honourable assembly the councill of state of the parliament of England.

Vol. i. p. 733.

My Lords,
I Find myself pressed to require your lordships, that you will be pleased not to delay more to give me an answer upon the remonstrance, which I have made in writing to your lordships by order of the high and mighty lords, my lords, the States Generall of the united provinces of the low countries, the 30 of Aug./9 of Sept. touching the wrong done to their high and mighty lordships, because of the arrest and detention of their ship of warre, with which was destined Mr. John Vanden Eynde their commissary, to go into Ireland, and to hinder his voyage for affairs touching the liberty of trafick. The delay of a good answer cannot serve to the common rest, and the sending of the case to the court of admiralty cannot be taken in honour by their high and mighty lordships, who have looked for that your lordships would at the first representing, which hath been done to your lordships the 12/29 of July, have repaired the wrongs, which I as yet do require in the name of my said lords, that speedily may be done without further delay, to the end that I may thereof give notice to their high and mighty lordships with the first, and I remain,
The 10/20 of Sept. 1649.

Honourable lords, well affectionated to do service to your lordships, Alb. Joachimi.

Extract of a letter from Mr. Edward Barnard to Mr. Strickland, the English resident at the Hague.

Rotterdam, 21/11 Sept. 1649.

Vol. i. p. 747.

Mr. Strickland,
Here arrived lately a gentleman and friend of yours from France, whose name I was enjoyned to conceale, who assures me, that some mischievous persons have undertaken solemne resolutions to worke out your speedy destruction. Wherefore my humble advice is, that you will be very carefull off your owne security and preservation, lest such an untimely accident (which I trust the Almighty will prevent) should undiscovered hapen unto you.

Mr. Strickland to the council of state.

Vol. i. p. 749.

Right honourable,
I Have received your honour's of the 7th of September, concerning the Rose Crants of Medenblilke. If Mr. Frost writte to me any other thinge, then to know how much my friend, or rather the common wealth's of England was concerned in it, as to his particular, I have not received it; and as to that I made answer, that the shippe did intirely belong to the Men of Meydenblick, who are all your friends; and that a burgo-maister of that towne was chiefly concerned, and that he, who was a suiter in thire behalfe, is one of the best friendes you have. He tels me againe this day, that the shippe was hyred in Spain, to convoy some two or thre hundred Irish into Flanders for the service of the king of Spaine, and haveing taken in those men, she tooke in some smal quantity of hydes and wooll, not thinkeing to doe ill in doeing it, nor knowing they were prohibited. This is the naked truth: how far justice may condempn her, I know not; but if you have a latitude to goe more or less, I wish you would tuch that woound with as gentle a hande as may be; for those that suffer heere are such, as doe the best they can, that you may not suffer in any of your interestes.

As concerning the shippe, which belongs to the states of Holland, and was sent into Ireland, I am certainly informed, that the states of Holland had noe other design in that business, then merely to recover some shipps taken by prince Rupert from them, in which some of them had particular interest; and Vander Ende was not authorized at all by them for any other thinge; but it may be they thought his creadit with prince Rupert might make him prevaile the more in releaseing thire shipps by Mr. Webster's interest: but if he did negotiate any thinge in reference to Oliver French his treaty, or in any other kinde to the præjudice of the parliament, was without the knowledge of the states of Holland, who were interested in the business. This you may be confident is true, and therefore I shall humblely offer it to your honours consideration, the shippe being noe particular men's shippe; but the shippe of the states of Holland, whose intent was really to get some ships released, which were in prince Rupert's hands: though in a strickt sense it is noe question liable to confiscation, yet whether at the desire of the states of Holland in generall by the president of that assembly, your honours will thinke fitt to remitt and pass by your right in that shippe, I must submitt, takeing the bouldness to say, that in my owne opinion, the doeing of it will be of much advantage to your affaires heere, by not only doeing, but declaring you doe it at the intercession of the states of Holland, to whome the shippe belonges, who have soe cordially appeared for you, as now at this instant they doe, not onely giveing me audience themselves, but protesting against the States Generall for not doeing it, and have now drawne up a long letter from the states of Holland, to be sent to the provincial states of all the other provinces, perswading them to joyne with them in ordering thire deputyes heere the States Generall to give me audience; and if they doe not, to tell them the hazard, which my cum to them. This is more than the states of Holland yet ever did in any business before, in my observation, for this seaven yeares past, in any thinge whatsoever; soe as I conceive your honours will thinke this extraordinary affection to you from those, who have soe great an interest heere, may warrant a complying with them againe. I thinke, by my next letter I shall be able to give you an account, whether the States Generall will comply with those of Holland or not, to prevent thire sending and writing into the other provinces. If they doe, my audience will be a grownd to expect an answer to the maine; if not, I am sure the effects must needes be good, that the states of Holland imbrace your interests soe much; and it is like the rest of the provinces will either agree with them, or they will, upon thire not doeing it, take such resolutions, as may be for your honours great advantage. The states of Holland do desir their shippe may be released without bayle, in respect the states of the province give no bayle; and she is noe particular men's shippe. I cannot but in respect of your publicke desir it likewise, with this, that I am sure all your ennimys heere desir and wish you woulde refuse it, that soe they might hope to see a stoppe in the affection betwixt Holland and you, which I have so studiously endeavored to maintaine. I shall yet be soe bould, upon the confidence, that it is for your service, as to desir what you doe may be done frely, and the ambassador my lord Jochimy and my selfe, yet before I cum away, may let the states of Holland, before they separate, which will be at the ende of next weeke, if it be possible, know your respect to them in it. If the states of Holland seperate, before the States Generall give me audience, soe as they send the letter mentioned before into all the provinces, it will be five or six weekes before they can have an answer, and about as much time before the states of Holland assemble againe; and in the time of that recesse I will waite upon you, and returne againe, if your honour please, when the states of Holland meet again, to know the effects of thire letter to the provinces, and make what use of all, as you in your wisdums shall thinke fit, upon the consideration of the whole business; for if I be not mistaken, whatever happen, such an use may be made of all, as may be much for your advantage. In the meane time, noe harm can cum to your affaires from hence, for you are yet upon the foore horse, notwithstanding the power and endeavors of your ennimys, who are great and many. I shall let noe opertunitye happen, by which I may improve your interests, nor omit any application, which may be necessary for it, having noething in my wishes but to serve faithfully and succesfully, if it please the Lord to blesse me in it. The states will make warre upon the king of Portugall, both at home and in the West and Easte Indyes. It is thought the king of Portugall is weake in the Easte Indyes. There are yet some difficultyes in the peace in Germany. Some apprehende the returne of P. C. into these parts: if he do cum hither, it will be much against the minde of the Hollanders. The treaty betwixt the king of Denmarke and the states is concluded. I have formerly given your honours an account of it. The league is defensive, but the custumes of the Sound is the principall. If P. C. be gon, I suppose major Sayers carries him, as I have formerly informed you, haveing a secret commission for two or three shipps. I shall believe noethinge, but Holland can adde much to his affaires, and that Holland will never doe it, if we doe but manage our interest thire as we may for our best advantage. I was informed another man of warr was demanded by a Dutch merchant, to goe into Ireland; but the states of Holland refused, saying, the parliament tooke thire shipps, and therefore to avoyd occasion of dispute, they would send noe more thither; and I believe, you will have noe more imployed by the states, who are now more than ever desirus not to differ from you; for thire are very honest and wise men amongst them, who know your right and thire owne; but it is not easye to keep the rest of the provinces in soe good a frame; at least the deputyes who serve heere for them. Thinges of this nature are to be written with soe much tenderness, that I am oblidged rather to trouble your honours with an ill hande, then venture thire being discovered by those, who prye into all my actions where any light may be had; and many, who doe you service, yet are not willing to be knowne more then of necessity they must; soe greate a power is yet in one man heere though a common wealth. I hope those shipps, which cum convoy hither, shall have order to receive me, when I have done your business. A certaine time I cannot yet appoint, but believe I may cum within ten dayes or thireabouts from hence. I shall make tender to your honours of a personne, whom you may dispose of as you please, without limitation, to serve the common wealth, beinge really,
Hagh, Sept. 23/13, 1649.

Right honourable, your most humble servant, Walter Strickland.

Mr. Strickland to Mr. Frost.

Vol. i. p. 789.

Sir,
I am yet heere, and have the states of Holland ingaged in a more then ordnary maner to procure me audience of the States Generall. I writ to you by my last, how they had protested against those, that would not give me audience, they standing still upon it, that they cannot doe it without order of thire principalls. The states of Holland have drawne a long letter to be sent into all the provinces, informeing them, that thire deputys heere doe not conforme in giving me audience, and giveing reasons why they ought. If the States Generall doe not conforme before the states of Holland separate, which will be within ten days, they can expect noe answer of five or six weekes till they meet againe; and dureing that recesse, I will cum over and wait upon the counsell to know thire pleasure, and then returne, if the counsell please, to know the finall conclusion. Whatever happen, the effects must needes be good, that the states of Holland owne us thus much, for they never yet did soe much in any other business whatsoever. I am sure, without the states of Holland, noe harme can cum to us; and as I now find them, wee neede not feare it. They doe yet desir release of the shippe taken at Kingsayle, and I believe if you knew thire affection and interest heere, you would thinke it were your interest to doe it, and that frely, declaring, that you did it at the request of the states of Holland, whose shippe she is, not any particular man's, and it is not ordnary with the states to give bayle; and in my judgement curtesyes sound best, when they done most frely, especially to such a representative as the states are. Your enimys are sorrie to see the states of Holland aske you any thinge, but would be glad to see you deny them. I hope your power in them will doe your worke in the ende maugre your ennimyes. The states make a warre with the king of Portugall, and league with Denmarke. The king of Polognia hath made a very disadvantagious peace with his ennimys, being constrained by them soe as I feare him not. I have writ to Amsterdam about saltpeter, and hope by my next to give you an account. I had your letter but this day. You see what memento mori's are sent me. I hope by the blessing of God to see you shortly, and to returne hither, if the counsell of state command me. I shall leave my bayle behinde me, my wife. I thanke Mr. Scot for his intentions to writ. I have noething to trouble him with, but what I have written to the counsell of state and your selfe. Pray gratifie the states of Holland, and you shall see good effectes of it. Believe me, sir, noe man is more cordeally yours in all true love and affection, then, sir,
Hagh, Sept. 23, 1649. [N.S.]

Your humble servant,
Walter Strickland.

The states have given the queen of Bohemya 6000 l.

Mr. Strickland, the English resident at the Hague, to the states of Holland.

III. & P. P. D. D. ordinibus Hollandiæ & Westfrisiæ.

Vol. i. p. 761.

Postulationes vestras, ill. ac P. P. D. D. de restitutione istius navis bellicæ quæ juxta Kingsale capta est, parlemento Anglicano fideliter communicavi. Cujus rei hanc habeo reddendam vobis rationem; parlementum scilicet, ut ill. ac P. P. D. D. ord. hujusce provinciæ satisfiat, & optare & laborare, nec quid non concedere, quod ex justitia aut amicitiæ jure peteretur. Quod autem hujusce rei moram attinet, aiunt se non posse non ægrè ferre pactionem istam, quæ intercessit inter ill. ac præp. D. D. ord. general. & Oliverum French, parlemento & suis in Hibernia rebus adeò noxiam. Quid enim erat nisi affirmare in rebus Hibernicis potestatem aliis præterquam parlemento Anglicano competere ? Et quod designaretur navis bellica ad eum portum, quem tenebant hostes reip. Anglicanæ professi & publici, tunc temporis obsidione pressi (utcunque tractandorum negotiorum obtentu) & istam pactionem in memoriam revocare, & sibi ut metuerent dare, eam navem illuc designari ad occultum aliquod damnum parlementi rebus ibi infligendum, ni expectandum esset, boni consulturum parlementum, ut cum inimicis, eo inconsulto, ageretur. Quod autem restitutionem navis attinet, ea illico hac lege fiet, modo scilicet ii, quorum interest, adsint Londini, qui teneantur & spondeant se accepturos sententiam, quam tulerit curia huic negotio designata.

Quod in hoc negotio solita parlementi facilitas non occurrat, evenisse nullus dubito, quod considerarint negotia sua, ab ill. & præp. D. D. ord. gen. difficili adeo dilatione excipi, & riguisse eam voluntatem, quâ rem Anglicanam amplexuros expectavit parlementum; adeo ut nos non adeò moram querimur, ac tractandorum negotiorum viam ipsam occlusam esse, cum publici istius reipublicæ ministri eâ, quâ jure expectant, qualitate non excipiantur.

Spes mihi utcunque est aperturos vos, ill. ac P. P. D. D. aliquam viam, quâ eveniet, ut rediturus benevolentiæ potius quam difficultatis Provinciarum Unitarum parlemento nuncium attulero. Mihi nihil unquam in votis magis fuisse, quam ut strictior & utriusque populi commodo æquè cessura iniretur amicitia, propositio vobis 21 mensis Julii exhibita testabitur. Cui quam maturè possit respondere mihi dignemini, oro, ut & certior fieri, numquid ill. ac præp. D. D. ord. generales de me audiendo statuerint.

Hagæ-comitis, Sept. 24. 1649. [N. S.]

The protestation of the states of Holland against the States General, for refusing audience to Mr. Strickland.

Presented September 24, 1649. [N. S.]

Vol. i. p. 795.

Altho' their high mightinesses, from the very beginning of the troubles that happened in England, for weighty reasons and considerations did think necessary, at all times, and in every respect carefully to observe, and cause to be observed, a neutrality between the king of Great Britain, and the parliament of England; and whereas for the said purpose from time to time reiterated resolutions have been taken by them; to wit, on the I^st of Novemb. 1642, as also on the 30^th of Septemb. and 6^th of Novemb. 1648. and since their noble and great mightinesses, for the same reasons and considerations, have likewise thought meet, from time to time, actually to keep up the said neutrality, and, in consequence thereof, to admitt the ministers of the one and the other party to an audience, whenever the same was demanded by any one of them; therefore their high mightinesses, in consequence of what is above mentioned, ought to have made no scruple to give audience to the resident Strickland at his request, being provided with credentials of the present government of the said kingdom, in order to propose such matters as he is charged with by his said masters, so as the same is granted from time to time to the ministers of the said king's majesty. Yet it has now happened, that the deputies of the five provinces, that are present, could not be persuaded to it, altho' the same at three several times, by a considerable number of ordinary and extraordinary deputies of their noble and great mightinesses, have been seriously and with allegations and representations of weighty reasons of state, requested; the said deputies declining and putting off the said request with delays, and under pretence, that they have no instructions on that head. Wherefore their noble and great mightinesses foreseeing the great inconveniencies that may arise therefrom, and are likely to fall, more especially on the inhabitants of this province, can delay no longer in consideration thereof, to shew their disapprobation and dislike, clearly and by a formal protestation against the denial of the said request; declareing that they do highly complain of not being treated and dealt with herein by the deputies of the other provinces, as good and faithfull allies ought reciprocally to be treated in the like occurrencies, to prevent one anothers loss, and to promote a mutual advantage. Further their noble and great mightinesses do declare, that they charge the before mentioned deputies of the said provinces, to be answerable for all the unhappy consequences and difficulties, that may any ways result and ensue from refusing the said requested audience; adding thereunto lastly, that their noble and great mightinesses will represent and make known the wrong, which is done unto them by the present deputies, as the same is above mentioned, to the lords their respective masters, with a serious and earnest request for reparation on account of the said denial and unseemly behaviour.

Anti-protestation of the provinces of Guelderland, Utrecht, Friesland, and Overyssel.

Vol. i. p. 797.

The lords the deputies of the provinces of Guelderland, Utrecht, Friesland, and Overyssel, together with those of the province of Zealand, who have declared underneath. provisionally, those of the province and city of Groningen and the Ommelands being absent, having seen and heard read the written protestation, which was presented and read by the lords the deputies of the province of Holland on Saturday last, being the 25^th instant, in the assembly of their high mightinesses, and minuted in the register on the 27^th of the same month, against the said lords the deputies of the four above mentioned provinces, touching and in relation to the non-admission of Mr. Strickland to an audience in the assembly of their high mightinesses here; and finding themselves injured by their protest in their respective character and lawfull behaviour in this affair, on the aforesaid day have most earnestly desired the said lords the deputies of the province of Holland, for sundry most weighty reasons, as they do still desire them hereby, that they would be pleased to withdraw their afore mentioned protest, as being very injurious; or in case of an unexpected denyal, that they would reserve to themselves the power to enter in their behalf against the same, such matters as they should think meet. And whereas the said lords deputies of the four provinces now present, together with Utrecht, which now are likewise absent, understood yesterday, being the 29^th day of this instant, to their great sorrow, from the mouth of the lords the deputies of Holland, that the lords their masters did as yet persist on the said protest; the deputies of the said provinces find themselves highly obliged, for their own disculpation, to declare against the same as follows, to wit: that the lords the deputies of the province of Holland, or the lords their masters, have conceived a wrong opinion against the deputies of the other provinces, in the abusive and erroneous thoughts, as if they did refuse and delay the audience of Mr. Strickland, under pretence that they had no instructions on that head; therefore they find themselves very much injured by the lords the deputies of Holland, or by the lords their masters, as being looked upon and minuted as such ministers, that knowing the effects thereof, should delay faithfully, and according to the truth, in due time and place, to declare and obey the will of the lords their masters, in such a weighty and momentous affair. Really an ungrounded and injurious remark! of which they have more reason to complain to the lords their committents against the said lords of Holland, than they have to complain of them. Therefore they do declare, that they are not answerable for any inconveniencies or difficulties, that may any ways result from the refusal of admitting the said Mr. Strickland to an audience, according to his request, nor for any disorders and bad consequences that may arise from such an unusual way of protesting; having on their side proceeded in this affair no otherwise, than pursuant and according to the order and regulation of the government, which by no means doth authorize or impower the deputies of the above mentioned provinces, in this ticklish, and in every respect very intricate business, to act the least, either on the one or the other side, without the express command of the lords their masters. They do likewise declare, that they have communicated at all times this said affair, where it was needfull; and accordingly expected the resolution thereon from the lords their masters.

And whereas complaint is made against the said deputies of an indecent behaviour herein towards the lords deputies of the said province of Holland, they do declare, that the same is quite unknown unto them, when, by whom, and in what manner the same was done; since it has always been their constant practice and intention, to behave always with the greatest decency towards such considerable and faithfull allies and consederates in the persons of the lords their deputies.

The lords deputies of the province of Zealand, in the assembly of their high mightinesses have provisionally added hereunto, that they, by virtue of the declaration, minuted on the 27^th instant, do reserve to themselves the liberty, to make such further and nearer declarations concerning this affair, as to them shall seem meet.

The lords deputies in ordinary of the province of Holland have declared, in relation to the asore written declaration of the four provinces, that they the said lords deputies, by a special command of the lords their masters, have caused the protest therein mentioned to be registered in the records of their high mightinesses.

A letter of the states of Holland to the several provincial states concerning the refusing of the States General to give audience to Mr. Strickland.

Vol. i. p. 801.

Noble and mighty lords,
What declaration and protest we have made and caused to be entered in the minutes of the general assembly against the deputies of your noble mightinesses there, you see out of the instrument hereunto annexed. The reasons, which have moved us to it, are evident and palpable; for as soon as the resident Strickland shall be returned into his country (which to do, as we hear, he is sharply commanded) and by his report it shall circumstantially appear, that the audience, which he has repeatedly desired, has been refused and denied him, notwithstanding the said audience is generally granted to the ministers of the king of Great Britain at all times, and whenever they desire to be admitted, nothing else, according to all probability, can be expected from the present government of England, but that it will be concluded, that on the side of this republick we do not intend to keep any further neutrality with the same. And what else will be the consequence thereof, but that, by way of retaliation, Mr. Joachimi the ambassador of this republick will be denyed to have any acces to, or audience from the said government? whereby the reciprocal correspondence will be entirely broken with indignation by that regency, and thus be entirely cancelled, to the irreparable detriment and loss of this country, and the inhabitants thereof, who in any occurrent difficulties, which at this time (God help us!) are but too frequent, will find no body in that kingdom, that will be able to speak a single word in their behalf to the government there, but the same, by what is above mentioned, being become the object of their hatred, will be continually insulted. Hereto may be added the peculiar situation of that kingdom, which renders the same very considerable to all circumjacent countries, being on all sides furnished with commodious harbours, bays, and rivers, which on the one hand cannot be avoided, because of their nearness, by all those that follow navigation here in these provinces; and on the other hand our people being at variance with the said government, may be attack'd and damaged on all sides, as well those that get their living by trading, as those that live by the herring and other fisheries. And who knows but there are people to be found in that kingdom, as well as in other parts, who would think it a happiness and advantage, that cause should be given to England to fall out with this republick, that thereby opportunity might be had, to seize and to fall upon the goods and effects of all such traders as deal by sea, whereof there are vast numbers in this country, and which glitter as golden mountains in the eyes of such people, and for which they have already a strong desire, as the same sufficiently appears by daily experience; especially if we consider the present conjunctures of time and affairs; to wit, that those of the government of that kingdom are entirely masters of the realm, powerfull in their finances from several considerations, having mighty fleets at sea, and strong armies on land, being also hitherto victorious every where, and consequently not very willing to bear affronts, as it appears already very clearly, by what the said government hath undertaken against the crown of France. Add to this, that the sea at present on all sides is infested with Irishmen, Turks, and pretended privateers of king Charles II. If besides all this any differences should arise with the government of England, the necessary consequence thereof would be, that that element, whereby this republick lives and subsists, would be entirely changed and converted into deadly poison, to the unavoidable ruin of all those who frequent the seas out of this country. The events, that have happened of late in that kingdom, according to the judgement of old as well as young politicians, are to be considered as extraneous, and beyond the concern of this country, it not being necessary nor prudent to take any part therein, nor to meddle with it by partiality, according to the examples of the greatest monarchs and princes of the last centuries; among others of the courageous duke Charles, surnamed the Bold, nay of the emperor Charles himself, being at that time the mightiest prince of all Europe, who, tho' greatly offended in their relations by those that at that time had the government of the said kingdom in their hands, yet did no ways think sit to come to a rupture with the same, but winking and conniving at all injuries, did continue their correspondence with them; so formidable was the said kingdom and the situation thereof in the eyes of the said mighty monarchs.

Noble and mighty lords,
We could easily alledge more reasons and motives on this subject, but we leave the consideration thereof to the high wisdom and great experience of your noble mightinesses; and conclude therefore this our present letter with a most serious request, that the deputies of your noble mightinesses in the assembly of the lords the States General, may be ordered, in the speediest way, to admitt the said resident Strickland, at his request, to an audience in the quality, which he represents here, as the same is granted here to the ministers of other powers, princes, and republicks, according to the regulation of this country.

Where we rely upon, &c.

A letter to Mr. Strickland, the English resident at the Hague.

Amsterdam, Saterday Sept. 25/13 1649.

Vol. i. p. 741.

It was yesterday betweene 3 and 4 in the afternoone, before I received yours of the 23^d; and therefore I was not able to returne you answer the same day. Receiving it, I presently went out, and have thought of a good discreet man. After some other talke, I asked him whether salt-peter was cheape or plenty in these parts, and whether he could tell me what price it bore. He told me, that for many commodityes, some few men had the cheife trade of them, and only such and such brokers knew the price of them; so that to give me any direct, precise, or positive answer; he could not; unlesse I would give him leave fully to informe himselfe, which he would do, if I pleased, after the same manner as if he did it for himselfe at the Dam. I could not tell whether it was convenient to make a shew to him, as if it were busynesse; but told him, if he would learne such and such particulars, when he next went upon his owne occasions to the Dam, I should be very glad to gaine the knowledge of them. This morning, intending to make a kind of a curious errand to the Dam, I mett him comming to me, who related in descourse these things following: That there were two sorts of salt-peter, which came into this country in quantity, one from Poland, another from the East Indies. That all the salt-peter of Poland, and that of the old store of the East Indies, was all bought up into particular men's hands, expecting that through the warrs in Poland with the Cosacks it might grow dearer. That the price currant at present of salt-peter refined was about 38 and 39 guylders the Amsterdam hundred. That there was a possibility of its fall a guylder or two, through the quantity lately brought from the East Indies, and through a great expectation and probability at present of a peace in Poland. That the East India shyps in all had brought in about six thousand six hundred kintalls, or hundreds, or 660,000 pound weight. That there was beside about two thousand kyntalls, or hundreds, or 200,000 pound of the old or last yeeres store in privatt mens hands. That of this last six thousand six hundred kyntalls or store of 660,000 pound, 140,000 belong'd to land, which he supposed was all, or a great part of it, sold there this weeke at the open sailes or auction of the company; but at what price, the letters were not yett come. That about nine dayes hence, the 3^d or 4^th of October, the East India company would begin to make their auctions, or open sales heere at Amsterdam; at which time, if there were any thing I would have him doe, he would do it, as upon his owne head. To this last I made no answer, but thanked him for his favor, and this so perticular account. And if you shall judge me fitt any further to serve you herein, I will make a journey out of towne, and come and wayt on you upon the least warning.

Mr. Strickland, the English resident at the Hague, to Mr. Frost.

Vol. i. p. 757.

Mr. Frost,
Mr. Crawford having desired me to let you know something concerning his busines, of which you writ to me formerly, all I can say is, that he seems desirous to know the cause, and have a coppy of the processe and proceedings against him; and for that purpose desired me to write to Mr. Boom the pensioner or recorder of Amsterdam, who never answered my letter; neither do I know whether the said Mr. Boom was the officer, to whom I ought to have written, or some other; but in this I followed Mr. Crawford's owne desire, for else I had gone to the states of Amsterdam, who are sent hither to sit in the assembly of the states of Holland, which I conceave had been most proper for mee. Mr. Crawford himselfe will give you an account of all, but I desire things may be well weighed, and what is given me in charge may be upon certain grounds, such as may be made good; for I am confident, if there be any sayle in that, wee shall suffer by it. I hope I may see you, and then we may talk more fully of the whole matter. I shall be glad to do Mr. Crawford any right that is in my power, but wish we may begin in such a way as the right managing of the business may be for his advantage and our honour. So I leave you, and remaine

Hagh, Sept. 28/18 1649.

Your affectionite friend and servant.

Mr. Strickland to the council of state.

Vol. i. p. 775.

Right honorable,
The states of Holland have formally protested against the States Generall for thire delaying to give me audience, and because they conceive the States Generall may not endeavour soe effectually, as they ought, to have thire principalls to give them order, the states of Holland have written to all the provinces, and sent thire protest. The States Generall were some of them troubled at it, and desired the states of Holland to withdraw the protest, but they would not; but as I am informed the letters of the states of Holland are allready gonne with the protest into all the provinces, and, as I am informed, this day the States Generall have entered an other protest against this protest of the states of Holland upon the ould foote, that they cannot give me audience without order from thire principalls. Whatever the issue be, noething but good can cum of these transactions, and the states of Holland's soe farr appeareing for you. Noe province hath yet refused to give me audience, nor, I believe, will not, but would be glad to continue delayes in such sort, as would be all one with a refusall; but the most probable way, that can be imagined to git them out of these delayes, is the letter of the states of Holland, who will expect an answer, and it may be will make knowne to the provinces the mistery of iniquitye, which is yet a secret to many of those, who live remote and know noe more then thire deputyes informe them. When the states of Holland seperate, which will be at the ende of this or the next weeke, I will, if your honors order me not the contrary, waite upon you to receive your further order, and returne againe, when the states of Holland shall reassemble, which will be about the beginning of November, at which time thinges may be driven home, and all the pretended delayes will be out of date by the endeavors of the states of Holland. Those of Zealand are more to be feared then any, though they more then any, except Holland, are bound to keep faire with England; but the power of that province is at present carried another way by the power, which is most acted against you; but all without Holland can doe you noe hurt; and if I have any knowledge of thinges heere, they are reall for you. I send your honours a copie of what I put into the states of Holland, according to your honour's order and command, yet cannot but desire your honours would release the shipps freely without caution, at the request of the states of Holland, who are soe active for you; and that you would be pleased to declare it soe, by which you oblidge those, who will not be ingrate nor useless in carriing on your great worke, for soe I must call the obtaineing an allyance heere, which will certainly render all the endeavors of your ennimys abortive; for noe other state can doe thire worke for them. The treaty is ended betwixt the States and the king of Denmark; they pay him about five and thirty thousand pound a yeare for all the custume of thire shipps, which are to pass through the Sount. Those of this country, who trade thither, shall pay heere to the States the same rates they payd there before they goe out, and upon the States certificate are to pass without any stop. The king of Denmarke is to have about sower scoore thousand advanced, which is to be payd back againe by sixe thousand pound a yeare, without interest, they to pay themselves out of what they are to pay him. I am toulde on secret of this agrement is, that the king of Denmarke is oblidged not to grant this privilidge, or make any such bargaine, with any but them; in particular not with England, France, Sweeden, nor any els. They goe on to send many shipps into the West Indyes against the Portugayse. The Sweedes doe more then any dislike this agreement of the States about the Sount; and it is thought some cause of the resident of Sweden's retyreing from hence, for the States having an interest by this to maintaine the king of Denmark's interest, is a mater of jealousie to the Sweeds. I hope your honours will give order to some of the parliaments shipps, that cum this way, to bring me over. I send Mr. Frost such bookes, as cum out here, which concerne the publicke, whither they be written pro or contra, not doubting but your honours know what use to make of them. I send bookes of this nature to noe other handes but your honours. One of the bookes I send is in Duch, and it is a collection of the misfortunes of the howse and family of the Stewards. It seemes many beginne now to make observations on it. I have not reade it my selfe, but by casting my eye upon it, I see it is but a collection of the adventures of that howse out of other historyes. It is not amiss, that your honours see and observe the workeing humors of other states. I heare Salmatius goes on with his worke, the preface of which I sent long since to your honors. I have noe thoughts soe deeply rooted in me, as those of serveing your honors faithfully, as is the duty of,
Hagh, Sept. 30/20 1649.

Right honourable, Your humble servant Walter Strickland.

Mr. Strickland to Mr. Walter Frost.

Vol. i. p. 763.

Sir,
I Writ to Amsterdam about salt-peter, and because I was desirus to have it cum to you spedily, I writ to you by one that went by sea. If that cum first, this inclosed will be to noe great purpose; if it doe not, by this you will be informed as much as I can learne about that matter. The states of Holland have entred a protest against the States Generall, and have sent that protest with a letter into all the provinces. This hath occasioned the States Generall to protest (fn. 7) against their protest upon this grownd, that they cannot doe it without order. I am tould the states of Holland's letter and protest is actually gonne into all the provinces, and that the States Generall are much displeased at it; the rather because it will discover what is desired heere to be keept secret. I must nedes say it is not to be præsidented, that ever the states of Holland did such a thing before, nor any els. I hope it will be of more consequence then you imagine. At the end of this weeke or the next, the states of Holland seperate; and then I will hasten over, for during thire recesse I shall doe noething heere, but may at my returne in November, when they meete againe. I hope we shall make use of what passeth now. You will see what I have delivered to the states of Holland, in order to what I received from the counsell of state. The last post I gave it in in Latin, but have sent it to the counsell in Latin and English. I send you the books, the one is Dutch, which is a collection of the unfortunatness of the family of the Stewards. You have such as understand it. I know not how good it is, but believe you will find it a catalogue of their ill lucke. The other is a booke against us, but built all upon false principalls. The last is a short thinge of the same nature, but who would be a moderator. I hope you have men to reade and answer such bookes. I hope you will gratifie the states of Holland, and declare it to be in respect to them. It is but a shipp they desir. If they separate next weeke, I will hasten to you as soone as I can meete with a parliament shippe. I hope the counsell will give order to such as cum hither to bring mee, and stay till I have notice of thire being heere. I doe all that is possible to improve our interest. Zealand will doe noething: that is the worst of all the provinces as to us. I will now say noe more, but that I am
Hagh, Sept. 30/20 1649.

Your faithful and humble servant,
Walter Strickland.

The post from London of this weeke is not cum; soe that I have noething to answer. Ill newse is cum out of Ireland; but I believe it not. Malignants make and broach it; and truly allmost all the English heere are such. I pray be wary what you doe in Crawford's business. The most godly heere speake worst of him.

Mr. Strickland to the council of state.

Vol. i. p. 767.

Right honorable,
You will perceave by this inclosed, what I have done in order to your honours letter sent me by the last post concerning the ship taken at Kingsale, which the states of Holland did soe much desire might be released. They still continue to desire it might be without caution, shee being no ship, which belongs to any private men, but to the states. The post of this week is not come; so as I know nothing of my command sent me by him. I hope by the next I shall be able to give your honours an account of the finall end and issue, which I may expect of the endeavours of the states of Holland about my audience with the States Generall; at least as much as wil be done at this session. I have given your honours an account of some particulars in the letter written with mine owne hand, but shall reserve a more full account, till I come over, which I beleeve I may know certainly by the next post. I desire however, the parlement shipps, that come this way, may have order to bring me over, if I be ready to come. I shall not trouble your honours at this time with more then that I am,
Hagh, Sept. 30/20, 1649.

Right honourable, Your most humble servant, [W. Strickland.]

Memoire aux baults & puissants seigneurs les Estats Generaux des Provinces Unies du Pais Bas.

Par le resident du roy de la Grande Bretagne, &c.; Exhibitum & lectum 1 Octob. 1649. [N. S.]

Vol. i. p. 805.

Remonstrant,
Que le dict resident ayant entendu, que des instances sont journellement faictes à leur S S. afin que le sieur Walter Stricklant puisse avoir audience publique, & estre receu en qualité du resident de la part (comme il pretend) de la republique d'Angleterre, prie bien instamment leurs S S. de prendre en consideration serieuse leur propres actes & resolutions ci devant faictes, les memoires aussi du dit resident exhibés à leurs S S. sur ce subject; en particulier son memoire presenté le 30 de Juillet passé, dont copie est ci joincte, lequel ont pleu d'accepter pour une notification par leur resolution de la metme date. En oultre de vouloir considerer la conjuncture & condition presente des affaires, comme leurs S S. n'ayant pas voulu par ci devant pour des raisons prægnantes admettre le dit sieur Stricklant à audience publique, cependant que les deux maisons du parlement d'Angleterre estoient entieres, & tandis que ceulx la, qui l'ont envoyé, eurent quelque pretexte d'honneur, d'equité, & de loyauté envers leur souverain: à plus juste raison peuvent bien leurs S S. maintenant refuser telle mesme toute audience & traicté au sieur Stricklant, ses maistres estants si estrangement changés, & leur procedeurs tellement differences de loix & reigles observées parmy les Chrestiens, & expressement de celles du royaume d'Angleterre.

Car ces deux maisons du parlement n'y sont plus, entre lesquelles & sa majesté leurs S S. (dans tous leur actes & resolutions ci devant prises) ont fait profession de vouloir maintenir la neutralité, & non pas entre sa majesté, & un autre gouvernement supreme usurpé dans ses royaumes, lequel apres avoir faict mourir le pere d'heureuse memoire tasche d'esteindre la race royale, & renverser le bon & heureux gouvernement de ce royaume la, qui par la grace de Dieu a obtenu (sans autre) par tant de siecles, mesme de tout temps, que les histoires font aucune mention de ce pais la, ou à present il n'y reste plus rien, que le seul nom de parlement.

Et veu que nessun roy, prince, ou estat dedans ou dehors la Chrestienté ayant encore receu quelqu' envoyé de la part du present gouvernement d'Angleterre en qualité de ministre publique, ou traicté avec eux, comm' une republique, personne ne sçauroit s'imaginer, que sa majesté aura à attendre de cest estat (qui a tousjours sur des vrayes & falutaires maximes maintenu un estroicte alliance & bonne correspondence avec tous ses predecesseurs) le premier coup de deshonneur & prejudice dehors ses royaumes. Sur quoy leurs S S. font derechef tresinstamment prieés, de ne rien faire ou traiter avec le dit sieur Stricklant, qui puisse contravenir à leur resolutions desja arresteés, ou aucunement causer la moindre jalousie de l'entiere amitié & affection (dont sa majesté en faict si grand estat) que leurs S S. ont tousjours monstre, tant à l'esgard de sa personne, que de sa dignité & auctorité royalle, laquelle ne sçauroit que grandement partir par l'admission & recognoissance d'autre pouvoir souverain que celuy de sa majesté dans ses royaumes. Car autres princes & estats, qui n'y songent pas seulement à present, par tel exemple peuvent estre induicts à faire de mesme.

Tout ce que dessus le dit resident ayant representé à leurs S S. par ordre expres de sa majesté, les prie bien humblement de luy faire avoir par escript leur resolution la dessus.

Ensuite des instructions & par commandement expres de sa majesté.

Signé, Guill. Boswel, resid.

The merchants adventurers of England to the city of Bruges.

Vol. ii. p. 450.

Messieurs,
Although we so late give answer unto your kind letter of the 2^d of August last, St. novo, which we received by the hands of Mr. Daniel Robinson; yet we desire you to believe, that the same proceeded not out of any neglect of the invitation you give us to our ancient residence with you, nor disesteem of the special respects you have shewn towards us in the overture; but that only through the unsettledness of affairs, we have not been able to meet and consult thereupon so clearly and fully as we desired. For we assure you, that nothing is more acceptable unto us, nor which we would more readily embrace, than once more to establish our trade in that government and order, wherein for many ages it hath formerly flourished in those provinces. But forasmuch as the way cannot be cleare unto a treaty for restoring the residence, before the lycent and other town-rights be taken off, and especially the point of the free exercise of our religion be accorded upon, wherein we find not Mr. Robinson to be instructed particularly; we would pray you to let us know from yourselves, or by him, what we are to expect in these particulars, and what hopes and means there may be found out to remove and clear these obstacles. For as without satisfaction in all these particulars we cannot be persuaded to enter into any treaty of residence; so we cannot but take notice, that at this time the confirmation of the lycent is resumed by the council at Bruxells, and earnestly pursued to be settled in greater vigour than at any time heretofore.

We are also in doubt upon what condition we shall be permitted to come up to your town by way of Sluce, when that passage shall be cleared; and therefore would desire you to let us know, whether now the peace is settled between the king and the States General, provision be made for passage of all vessels, without paying of any tolls into and through those parts. To these things we shall attend your answer; and according to the satisfaction we shall receive from you, shall presently see how much we esteem ourselves obliged to yow for this courteous invitation, and how we are especially inclined to your famous city.

Indors'd: Translate of the company's letter to the city-town of Bridges, 21 Sept. 1649.

A letter of intelligence from Stockholm.

Vol. i. p. 785.

Sir,
I Received youers in Sweden, and retourne you maney thankes. Since my arrival heare, I atend at courte. At my couming it pleased hir magesty to favor mee her oulde (fn. 8) servant as sir as too kis hir hand; after which shee asked mee maney questiones concerning the affares of our state; of wich I gave such satisfaction, that shee seemed to mee to remouse hir former openeyon, and to geve les credet to those formor reportes: the partekelers I forbeare at present. Heare is no preparation for wor, as hath ben reported, nether doth the good quene or state heare, as I can understand, intend aney thing against our nation: all thinges goe heare as wee wolde have it; and I dout not but they will soe conteney. I coulde enlarge much, but let these fewe lines bee acceptable from him, how is, sir,
Stockholme this 22 of September 1649.

Your houmble servant.

For his loving frind N. N. London.

Mr. Strickland to Mr. Walter Frost.

Vol. i. p. 753.

Sir,
I Will beginne with your letter, to satisfie you in which I had a speciall meteing with the lorde you mention, and find in him noe change as to the maine of our affaires, for I hould him a reall friend, though to be soe heere is more then in an other place. And as to that of faciamus eos in gentem unam, he remembers not, that he had discourse with the Dr. if he had, it is forgotten, but will, when time is, be as ready as any to improve his interest to any nearer conjunction, as may be advantagius for both; and soe I thought not good to be to plaine in particulars, til we be nearer then yet thinges are. And truly, sir, I am more doubtfull then he as thus advised wither it would be for our good. I have seen somthing in our uniting with the Scotts, which we were glad, when they did breake, when we could not untye. In my judgement these countryes have much adoe with thire uniting. It is more then worke for a letter to writ the objections. In my opinion such an allyance as is defensive and offensive, is enough for any strangers; but if I see you, which is uncertaine when, we will debate more. I send you fower papers in Dutch, translated into English by my selfe for meere necessity, because I durst not be knowne how I came to them. Pray, sir, when the counsell have considered them, keep the papers by you; when I come over, we may make further use of them, and I have noe other. You will find Holland sufficiently ingaged with the States Generall: thire letter is gon into all the provinces with the protest. I am sure this is the hiest point they yet ever came to in any man's memory; and it is not thire custume to ingage you farr, and then give over. I have sent you two papers put in by sir William Boswell: they are in French, and soe as I conceive neede noe translation. You see the states of Holland and the counsell of state differ not much in their language. I was glad of that transaction betwixt you and the Dutch ambassador. You see it is not unsuitable to the papers I send you. I am sorry the good oulde ambassador, who is now eighty eight, is soe ill served of his secretary, who is as ignorant as malignant, and yet is my friend. I wish he were his masters, but the Hagh can conjoure the pennes of secretarys at a greater distance then London. In what a condition are we heere! Sir, I gave the president of the states of Holland the proclamation about French wines, who delivered it to them in thire assembly, which was the best publication I could make. I had forgot to put in my letter to the counsell of state, that a very considerable personne here tould me, he was informed from a good hand, that the duke of Muskovy (fn. 9) hath put out of his cuntry all the English, who adhære to the parliament: pray let me heare by your next, what is true in that particular. I bless God for the good success of our worthy lord lieutenant. Those that honor me I will honor, is seen in him. I am to have given me in writing, when I cum away, the thankes to the parliament for the releaseing the shippe Bomblen, which was taken exceeding well, and was in my mind a very seasonable favour. Those, who love you not heere, were very sorry for it. I am in great straight, whether to cum away before the answer to the states of Holland's letter from all the provinces be sent, that is allready sent by them, but will not be answered this moneth; or to cum over, and returne againe in or about that time; for whatever happen, if it please the Lord to give me life, I will not give over this busines, till I see the fruicts either of thire giveing or refuseing me audience, which in my opinion might either way be great. I received yours this day, and shall let you see whatever I doe shall be according to my reason for the publicke good.
Hagh, Octob. 7/Sept. 27 1649.

I am, sir, Your humble servant, Walter Strickland.

An intercepted letter to prince Rupert.

Vol. ii. p. 56.

Para o principe Roberto,
Senior o que disse a Juelin de Roquemont sobre o navio Ingres que veo de Maranhao foy que mandando s. magestade que D. guarde uer aqueixa que se lhe fez da tomada deste navio, entenderao os ministros que vossa serenidade odevia largar, nao por fazer favor ao navio, e dar gosto a s. magestade em cujos mares, e quasi a sua vista se tomou mas pello pedirem assi as leis da justica eas da amizade, porque este navio foy fretado neste porto para hir a ilha de santa Maria embarcar duzentos cazaes de Portuguezes, comque hir socorrer, e pousar o estado de Maranhao e leuou para omesmo estado alguas muniçoes e avizos necessarios para sua defensa, e conservaçao enolten como prometeo na fiança que se lhe tomou amostrar como dera comprimento a tudo o referido e atrazer as respostas l'avizos do governador do estado, e'que nestes termos se reputava o naveo como de s. magestade pois foy tomado para seu serviço de ida, e volta, e'que nao permetia a boa amizade que hum amigo tomasse a outro as fazendas dos homens que o hiao servir em quanto assistiao em serviço pois devendo este serlhe de utilidade, lhe viria a ser causa do mesmo dano, que padecem, l'que por s. magestade entender que os ministros que vossa serenidade tras em sua companhia para julgarem estas materias nao poriao dunida em cousa que parece tao clara, tinera por escusado mandar fazer outra diligençia mais que informar a vossa serenidade desta verdade.

Nem he de consideraçao o levar etrazer este navio fazendas de particulares eganhar com ellas seus fretes por q'mandandosse vossa serenidade informar achara por toda esta corte que quando s. magestade freta navios estrangeiros ou naturaes para os ministros de sua magestade o fazerem com mais conveniençia da fazenda real, falao primeiro com os homens de negoçio que tem trato e correspondençia com aconquista para que se freta porq' fique por sua conta a maior parte da despeza que se pode alcançar l'assi succedeo com este navio, mas o principal para que se tomou foy oserviço de s. magestade como tenho dito, e se este nao fora de nenhua maneira passara ao Maranhao, l'este fim e intento com o principal he oque se deve attender, e'nao ao accessorio, e'consequençia de tanto menor consideraçao.

S. magestade de nenhua maneira quer que se prejudique ao direito do serenissimo rey da gram Bretanha, mas tambem nao quer nem deue permitir que se perjudique ao da coroa e vassalos que estao a sua conta como neste cazo se prejudica notoriamente, e'assi he de crer, o entendao os ministros de vossa serenidade se lhe forem prezentes estas rasoes e'se informarem da verdade que reffere este papel mandando restituir este navio pois senao pode nunca ter por de boa preza. D. guarde a vossa serenidade muitos annos. Do Paço 23 de Decembro de 1649. [N. S.]

P. Vieira da Silva.

Another intercepted letter to prince Rupert.

Vol. ii. p. 57

Para o principe Roberto,
Senior Juelin de Roquemont secretario da embaixada de França que se espera nesta corte me disse da parte do senior principe Mauricio que determinava sahir deste porto com alguns navios ficando os mais acompanhando a vossa serenidade e'que antes de sua partida folgaria que s. magestade que D. guarde lhe assignalasse hora para lhe fatar; e'por que se diz geralmente nesta corte, eo entendo deste Recado, q'o senior principe Mauricio sahe deste porto a tomar alguns navios Ingrezes que seguem a voz do parlamento para tornar a qui a vender as prezas, eaincorporarse com vossa serenidade me he forçado quando nao fora pello que deno ao seruico de s. magestade, pello que dezejo ao de vossa serenidade dizerlhe q'isto he muito encontrado ao que se assentou nas conferençias que de ordem de s. magestade tiue com monsieur de Lisle, como elle dissera se estiuera prezente, e'creo de sua verdade dira em toda aparte onde for perguntada porque amais principal e essencial cousa que lhe disse foy que nem ao estado em que o reyno se acha, nem ao comerçio delle conuinha fazer guerra, ou hosti lidade, nem de qualquez maneira dara juda ou fauor contra os Ingrezes queseguem o parlamento, antes hauia s. magestade de mandar vecolher e fazerigualmente bom tratamento em seus Reynos ato da anacao Ingreza, porque com ella tinla venouado os contratos da pas e'amizade que sempre ouuera entre estas duas naçoes'; que com ésta supposiçao podia vossa serenidade mandar confiada mente sens navios aestes portos uender ou comprar assi como mandaua toda anacao Ingreza, e'que nem a s. magestade nem a sens ministres to caua auiriguar aqualidade das fazendas quetraziao, nem o tituls com q'forao acqueridas e'assi o entendra vossa serenidade da forma da veposta que s. magestade mandoudaea por escrito a monsieur de Lisle, que enuiei a vossa serenidade logo que vossa serenidade chegou aeste porto. Nesta conformidades eprocedes cesta procedéndo com os nauios de vossa serenidade, mas uirense elles guarecer e reparer aos portos destes reinos e' sa hirem delles a fazer hostilidades a autros nauios da mesma naçao', e tornarense a lecollier aos mesmes portos auender as fazendas que tomarao para quarecidos de nouo lhes tornarem a fazer mayordano he notoriamente, fazer hostilidades a nacao Ingreza contra amizade que Aportugueza teue sempre comella, e he tambem fazer perder detodo aestes Reynos o Comerçio de Inglaterra em quenas' so nao interessadas as Alfandegas eo commu, mas hua' grande parte des vassales e' sobre tudohefazer largaro reyno a hum numero muito considerauel de Ingrezes que o habitao e' sendo emtodo o tempo tao pezados estes i neconvenientes ha depre zente ontro mayor e he q' s. magestade com as guerras de Castella, ecom as que as compantuas de o Landa fazem nas conquistas tem necessidade de mais navios que os que sepodem fabricar no reino eos costuma fretar anacao Ingreza como senio nos que forao com a Armada da companhia no que foy a Tangere e'nos que sahem cadadia para oscruico esocorro das conquistas e' he claro que nenhum vira a Portugal nao so pello aggrauo que se lhe faz mas pallo perigo e dano de serem Tomados.

Siruasse vossa serenidade de querer perar estas rasoes' e considerar com ellas que o contentamento que suas magestades e s. A. receberao com auindae vista de vossas serenidades eo aplauso egosto com que to da esta corte os festeja e' dezeja seruir merecem que vossas serenedades lhes correspondao com bene ficios, e nao comdanos couza tao alhea dagrandeza de vossas serenidades, l'me pareceo primevio que desse a s. magestades o recado do senior principe Mauricio dezer isto a vossa serenidade como grande seu seruidor como quun esta muito serto que s. magestades tera grande desprazer de entendez q' vossas serenidades astao com esta Resohuao de que peco muito de m. a vossa serenidade queira desistir pello que lhe merecem estes reynos e' pello que deue ao amor e dezejo dos Portugueres Dios guarde a vossa serenidade muitos annos. Do Paço 23 de Dezembro de 1649.

P. Vieira da Silva.