of your kingdom; but that wherever the confines Portugal extend themselves, you will command then to be expelled as well by land as by sea. Or if you are unwilling to proceed to that extremity, at least that with your leave it may be lawful for us, with or proper forces to assail our own revolters and sea rob landed in one of those two places) about rescuing the | tious manners of those people, of their audaciousness, freeborn lady out of the hands of the ravisher. Who, their fury, and their madness. Which is the reason we both out of their singular humanity and love of virtue, are in hopes, that we shall more easily obtain from lent their assisting aid to the young virgin in servi- your majesty, first, that you will, as far as in you lies, tude, and by downright robbery rifled from her habita- be assistant to the most illustrious Edward Popłam, tion so that to avoid the violence of her imperious whom we have made admiral of our new fleet, for the masters, she was as it were deposited in a nunnery, subduing those detested freebooters; and that you w and committed to the charge of the governess of the no longer suffer them, together with their captain, society. Wherefore the same Walsh, to get her again guests, but pirates, not merchants, but the pests of into his clutches, has commenced a suit against her in commerce, and violaters of the law of nations, to be the ecclesiastical court of the bishop of Ypre, pretend-bour in the ports and under the shelter of the fortresses ing a matrimonial contract between him and her. Now in regard that both the ravisher and the ravished person are natives of our country, as by the witnesses upon their oaths abundantly appears; as also for that the splendid inheritance, after which most certainly the criminal chiefly gapes, lies within our territories; so that we conceive, that the whole cognizance and de-bers; and if it be the pleasure of Heaven, to reduce termination of this cause belongs solely to ourselves; them into our power. This, as we have earnestly detherefore let him repair hither, he who calls himself sired in our former letters, so now again with the greatthe husband, here let him commence his suit, and de-est ardency and importunity we request of your mamand the delivery of the person, whom he claims for his wife. In the mean time, this it is that we most earnestly request from your highness, which is no more than what we have already requested by our agent residing at Brussels, that you will permit an afflicted and many ways misused virgin, born of honest parents, but pirated out of her native country, to return, as far as lies in your power, with freedom and safety home again. This not only we, upon all opportunities offered, as readily prepared to return the same favour and kindness to your highness, but also humanity itself, and that same hatred of infamy, which ought to accompany all persons of virtue and courage in defending the honour of the female sex, seem altogether jointly to require at your brands. Westminster, March 28, 1650. jesty. By this, whether equity, or act of kindness, you will not only enlarge the fame of your justice over all well-governed and civil nations, but also in a greater measure bind both us and the people of Eng land, who never yet had other than a good opinion of the Portuguese, to yourself and to your subjects. Farewel Westminster, April 27, 1650. To the HAMBURGHERS. MORE than once we have written concerning the controversies of the merchants, and some other things which more nearly concern the dignity of our repablic, yet no answer has been returned. But understanding that affairs of that nature can hardly be de termined by letters only, and that in the mean time certain seditious persons have been sent to your city by *******, authorized with no other commission than To the most Serene Prince, JOHN the Fourth, King of that of malice and audaciousness, who make it they PORTUGAL. business utterly to extirpate the ancient trade of sat people in your city, especially of those whose fidcity to their country is most conspicuous; therefore we have commanded the worthy and most emin Richard Bradshaw, to reside as our agent among y to the end he may be able more at large to treat ana UNDERSTANDING that your majesty had both honourably received our agent, and immediately given him a favourable audience, we thought it became us to assure your majesty without delay, by speedy letters from us, that nothing could happen more acceptable to us, and that there is nothing which we have de-negotiate with your lordships such matters and affairs creed more sacred, than not to violate by any word or as are interwoven with the benefit and advantages deed of ours, not first provoked, the peace, the friend- both republics. Him therefore we request ye with ship, and commerce, now for some time settled between soonest to admit to a favourable audience; and tha us and the greatest number of other foreign nations, all things that credit may be given to him, that hu and among the rest with the Portuguese. Nor did we paid him, as is usual in all countries, and among send the English fleet to the mouth of the river Tagus nations paid to those that bear his character. with any other intention or design than in pursuit of Westminster, April 2, 1650. enemies so often put to flight, and for recovery of our vessels, which being carried away from their owners by force and treachery, the same rabble of fugitives conducted to your coasts, and even to Lisbon itself, as to the most certain fairs for the sale of their plunder. But we are apt to believe, that by this time almost all the Portuguese are abundantly convinced, from the flagi To the HAMBURGHERS. Most Noble, Magnificent, and Illustrious, THAT your sedulities in the reception of our ag were so cordial and so egregious, we both gladly derstand, and earnestly exhort ye that you would pera severe in your goodwill and affection towards us. And this we do with so much the greater vehemence, as being informed, that the same exiles of ours, concerning whom we have so frequently written, now carry themselves more insolently in your city than they were wont to do, and that they not only openly affront, but give out threatening language in a most despightful manner against our resident. Therefore once more by these our letters we would have the safety of his person, and the honour due to his quality, recommended to your care. On the other side, if you inflict severe and timely punishment upon those fugitives and ruffians, as well the old ones as the new-comers, it will be most acceptable to us, and becoming your authority and prudence. Westminster, May 31, 1650. To PHILIP the Fourth, King of SPAIN. To our infinite sorrow we are given to understand, that Anthony Ascham, by us lately sent our agent to your majesty, and under that character most civilly and publicly received by your governors, upon his first coming to your royal city, naked of all defence and guard, was most bloodily murdered in a certain inn, together with John Baptista de Ripa his interpreter, butchered at the same time. Wherefore we most earnestly request your majesty, that deserved punishment may be speedily inflicted upon those parricides, already apprehended, as it is reported, and committed to custody; who have not only presumed to wound ourselves through his sides, but have also dared to stab, as it were, to the very heart, your faith of word and royal honour. So that we make no question, but what we so ardently desire would nevertheless be done effectually, by a prince of his own accord so just and pious, though nobody required it. As to what remains, we make it our further suit, that the breathless carcass may be delivered to his friends and attendants to be brought back and interred in his own country, and that such care may be taken for the security of those that remain alive, as is but requisite; till having obtained an answer to these letters, if it may be done, they shall return to us the witnesses of your piety and justice. Westminster, June 28th, 1650. To PHILIP the Fourth, King of SPAIN. How heinously, and with what detestation, your majesty resented the villanous murder of our agent, Anthony Ascham, and what has hitherto been done in the prosecution and punishment of his assassinates, we have been given to understand, as well by your majesty's own letters, as from your ambassador don Alphonso de Cardenos. Nevertheless so often as we consider the horridness of that bloody fact, which utterly subverts the very foundations of correspondence and commerce, and of the privilege of embassadors, most sacred among all nations, so villanously violated without severity of punishment; we cannot but with utmost importunity repeat our most urgent suit to your ma | jesty, that those parricides may with all the speed imaginable be brought to justice, and that you would not suffer their merited pains to be suspended any longer by any delay or pretence of religion. For though most certainly we highly value the friendship of a potent prince; yet it behoves us to use our utmost endeavours, that the authors of such an enormous parricide should receive the deserved reward of their impiety. Indeed, we cannot but with a grateful mind acknowledge that civility, of which by your command our people were not unsensible, as also your surpassing affection for us, which lately your ambassador at large unfolded to us: nor will it be displeasing to us, to return the same good offices to your majesty, and the Spanish nation, whenever opportunity offers. Nevertheless, if justice be not satisfied without delay, which we still most earnestly request, we see not upon what foundations a sincere and lasting friendship can subsist. For the preservation of which, however, we shall omit no just and laudable occasion; to which purpose we are likewise apt to believe, that the presence of your embassador does not a little conduce. To the SPANISH Embassador. Most Excellent Lord, THE Council of state, so soon as their weighty affairs would permit them, having carried into parliament the four writings, which it pleased your excellency to impart to the council upon the nineteenth of December last, have received in command from the parliament, to return this answer to the first head of those writings, touching the villanous assassinates of their late agent, Anthony Ascham. The parliament have so long time, so often, and so justly demanded their being brought to deserved punishment, that there needs nothing further to be said on a thing of so great importance, wherein (as your excellency well observed) his royal majesty's authority itself is so deeply concerned, that, unless justice be done upon such notorious offenders, all the foundations of human society, all the ways of preserving friendship among nations, of necessity must be overturned and abolished. Nor can we apprehend by any argument drawn from religion, that the blood of the innocent, shed by a propensely malicious murder, is not to be avenged. The parliament therefore once more most urgently presses, and expects from his royal majesty, according to their first demands, that satisfaction be given them effectually and sincerely in this matter. To the most Excellent LORD ANTHONY JOHN Lewis de la Cerda, Duke of MEDINA CELI, Governor of ANDALUSIA: the Council of State constituted by Authority of Parliament, Greeting. WE have received advice from those most accomplished persons, whom we lately sent with our fleet into Portugal, in pursuit of traitors, and for the recovery of our vessels, that they were most civilly received by your excellency, as often as they happened to touch upon the coasts of Gallæcia, which is under your government, and assisted with all things necessary to those that perform long voyages. This civility of yours, as it was always most acceptable to us, so it is now more especially at this time, while we are sensible of the illwill of others in some places towards us without any just cause given on our side: therefore we make it our request to your illustrious lordship, that you will persevere in the same good-will and affection to us, and that you would continue your favour and assistance to our people, according to your wonted civility, as often as our ships put in to your harbours: and be assured, that there is nothing which we desire of your lordship in the way of kindness, which we shall not be ready to repay both to you and yours, whenever the like occasion shall be offered us. Sealed with the seal of the council, Westminster, Nov. 7th, 1650. To the Illustrious and Magnificent Senate of the City of DANTZICK. Magnificent and most Noble Lords, our dearest Friends; MANY letters are brought us from our merchants trading upon the coast of Borussia, wherein they complain of a grievous tribute imposed upon them in the grand council of the Polanders, enforcing them to pay the tenth part of all their goods for the relief of the king of Scots, our enemy. Which in regard it is plainly contrary to the law of nations, that guests and strangers should be dealt withal in such a manner; and most unjust, that they should be compelled to pay public stipends in a foreign commonwealth to him from whom they are, by God's assistance, delivered at home; we make no question, but that out of respect to that liberty, which as we understand you yourselves enjoy, you will not suffer so heavy a burden to be laid on merchants in your city, wherein they have maintained a continual amity and commerce, to the extraordinary advantage of the place for many years together. If therefore you think it convenient, to undertake the protection of our merchants trading among ye, which we assuredly expect, as well from your prudence and equity, as from the dignity and grandeur of your city; we shall take that care, that you shall be sensible from time to time of our grateful acceptance of your kindness, as often as the Dantzickers shall have any dealings within our territories, or their ships, as frequently it happens, put into our ports. Westminster, Febr. 6, 1650. To the PORTUGAL Agent. Most Illustrious Lord, WE received your letters dated from Hampton the fifteenth of this month, wherein you signify, that you are sent by the king of Portugal to the parliament of the commonwealth of England; but say not under what character, whether of embassador, or agent, or То | envoy, which we would willingly understand by yog credential letters from the king, a copy of which may send us with all the speed you can. We w also further know, whether you come with a plenary commission, to give us satisfaction for the injuries, a to make reparation for the damages, which your kag has done this republic, protecting our enemy all last summer in his harbours, and prohibiting the English fleet, then ready to assail rebels and fugitives which our admiral had pursued so far; but never straining the enemy from falling upon ours. If y return us word, that you have ample and full comm sion to give us satisfaction concerning all these matters and send us withal a copy of your recommendatry letters, we shall then take care, that you may with al speed repair to us upon the Public Faith: at wh time, when we have read the king's letters, you shal have liberty freely to declare what further commands you have brought along with you. The Parliament of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, ta the most Serene Prince D. FERDINAND, Grand Duke of TUSCANY, &c. WE have received your highness's letters, dated April twenty-two, sixteen hundred and fifty-one, and delivered to us by your resident, Signor Almerie Sal vetti, wherein we readily perceive how greatly your highness favours the English name, and the value yo have for this nation; which not only our merchants that for many years have traded in your ports, but als certain of our young nobility, either travelling throug your cities, or residing there for the improvement of their studies, both testify and confirm. Which as they are things most grateful and acceptable to us, we also on our parts make this request to your highness, that your serenity will persevere in your accustomed god will and affection towards our merchants, and other citizens of our republic, travelling through the Tuscar territories. On the other side, we promise and undertake, as to what concerns the parliament, that nothing shall be wanting, which may any way conduce to the confirmation and establishment of that commerce and mutual friendship, that now has been of long con tinuance between both nations, and which it is earnest wish and desire should be preserved to perp tuity, by all offices of humanity, civility, and mutsobservance. Westminster, Jan. 20, 1651. Sealed with the seal of the par ment, and subscribed by W:: LIAM LENTHALL, speaker the parliament of the comm wealth of England. ancient friendship and mutual commerce between the English nation and your city, not long since sent thither Richard Bradshaw, esq., with the character of our resident; and among other instructions tending to the same purpose, gave him an express charge to demand justice against certain persons within your jurisdiction, who endeavoured to murder the preacher belonging to the English society, and who likewise laid impious hands upon the deputy president, and some of the principal merchants of the same company, and hurried them away aboard a privateer. And although the aforesaid resident, upon his first reception and audience, made known to your lordships in a particular manner the commands which he received from us; upon which it was expected, that you would have made those criminals ere this a severe example of your justice; yet when we understood our expectations were not answered, considering with ourselves what danger both our people and their estates were in, if sufficient provision were not made for their security and protection against the malice of their enemies, we again sent orders to our aforesaid resident, to represent to your lordships our judgment upon the whole matter; as also to exhort and persuade ye, in the name of this republic, to be careful of preserving the friendship and alliance contracted between this commonwealth and your city, as also the traffic and commerce no less advantageous for the interest of both and to that end, that you would not fail to protect our merchants, together with their privileges, from all violation, and more particularly against the insolences of one Garmes, who has carried himself contumeliously toward this republie, and publicly cited to the Chamber of Spire certain merchants of the English company residing in your city, to the great contempt of this commonwealth, and trouble of our merchants; for which we expect such reparation, as shall be consentaneous to equity and justice. : To treat of these beads, and whatever else more largely belongs to the common friendship of both republics, we have ordered our resident aforesaid to attend your lordships, requesting that ample credit may be given to him in such matters, as he shall propose relating to these affairs. Westminster, March 12, 1651. Sealed with the parliament seal, and subscribed, Speaker, &c. The Parliament of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, to the most Serene CHRISTIANA, Queen of the SWEDES, GOTHS, and VANDALS, &c., Greeting. instructed to make those proposals chiefly, which should be most for the interest and honour of both nations, and which we were no less readily prepared to have heard, and to have done effectually that which should have been thought most secure and beneficial on both sides. But it pleased the Supreme Moderator and Governor of all things, that before he had desired to be heard as to those matters, which he had in charge from your majesty to propound to the parliament, he departed this life, (whose loss we took with that heaviness and sorrow, as it became persons whom it no less behoved to acquiesce in the will of the Almighty,) whence it comes to pass, that we are prevented hitherto from knowing your majesty's pleasure, and that there is a stop at present put to this negotiation. Wherefore we thought we could do no less than by these our letters, which we have given to our messenger on purpose sent with these unhappy tidings, to signify to your majesty, how acceptable your letters, how grateful your public minister were to the parliament of the commonwealth of England; as also how earnestly we expect your friendship, and how highly we shall value the amity of so great a princess; assuring your majesty, that we have those thoughts of increasing the commerce between this republic and your majesty's kingdom, as we ought to have of a thing of the highest importance, which for that reason will be most acceptable to the parliament of the commonwealth of England. And so we recommend your majesty to the protection of the Divine Providence. The Parliament of the Commonwealth of ENGLAND, to the most Serene and Potent Prince, PHILIP the Fourth, King of SPAIN, Greeting. THE merchants of this commonwealth, who trade in your majesty's territories, make loud complaints of extraordinary violence and injuries offered them, and of new tributes imposed upon them by the governors and other officers of your ports and places where they traffic, and particularly in the Canary islands, and this against the articles of the league solemnly ratified by both nations on the account of trade; the truth of which complaints they have confirmed by oath. And they make it out before us, that unless they can enjoy their privileges, and that their losses be repaired; lastly that except they may have some certain safeguard and protection for themselves and their estates against those violences and injuries, they can no longer traffic in those places. Which complaints of theirs being duly weighed by us, and believing the unjust proceedings of those ministers either not at all to have reached your knowledge, or else to have been untruly represented to your majesty, we deemed it convenient to send the complaints themselves, together with these our letters, to your majesty. Nor do we question, but that your majesty, as well out of your love of justice, as for the sake of that commerce no less gainful to your subjects than our people, will command your governors to de sist from those unjust oppressions of our merchants, | may be discharged; and that the said defendants may and so order it, that they may obtain speedy justice, be referred hither to our court, to try what right thy and due satisfaction for those injuries done them by have in their claim to this caviare. Wherein your don Pedro de Carillo de Guzman, and others; and that highness and the most serene republic will do as we your majesty will take care, that the merchants afore- what is most just in itself, as what is truly becoming said may reap the fruit of those articles; and be so far the spotless amity between both republics: and las under your protection, that both their persons and their what will gratefully be recompensed by the goodwill estates may be secure and free from all manner of in- kind offices of this republic, whenever occasions of jury and vexation. And this they believe they shall Sealed with the seal of the coun for the greatest part obtain if your majesty will be pleased to restore them that expedient, taken from them, of a judge-conservator, who may be able to defend them from a new consulship more uneasy to them; lest if no shelter from injustice be allowed them, there should follow a necessity of breaking off that commerce, which has hitherto brought great advantages to both nations, while the articles of the league are violated in such a manner. Westm. Aug. —, 1651. Whitehall, Feb., 1652. and subscribed President of th council. To the Spanish Embassador. Most Excellent Lord, THE Council of state, according to a command fro the parliament, dated the second of March, having taken into serious deliberation your excellency's paper of the fifteenth of February, delivered to the commssioners of this council, wherein it seemed good to your excellency to propose, that a reply might be given to To the most Serene Prince, the Duke of VENICE, and two certain heads therein specified as previous, returte the most Illustrious Senate. Most Serene Prince, most Illustrious Senate, our dearest Friends; CERTAIN of our merchants, by name John Dickins, and Job Throckmorton, with others, have made their complaints to us, that upon the twenty-eighth of November, sixteen hundred and fifty-one, having seized upon a hundred butts of caviare in the vessel called the Swallow, riding in the Downs, Isaac Taylor master, which were their own proper goods, and laden aboard the same ship in the Muscovite Bay of Archangel, and this by the authority of our court of admiralty; in which court, the suit being there depending, they obtained a decree for the delivery of the said butts of caviare into their possession, they having first given security to abide by the sentence of that court: and that the said court, to the end the said suit might be brought to a conclusion, having written letters, according to custom, to the magistrates and judges of Venice; wherein they requested liberty to cite John Piatti to appear by his proctor in the English court of admiralty, where the suit depended, and prove his right: nevertheless, that the said Piatti and one David Rutts a Hollander, while this cause depends here in our court, put the said John Dickins, and those other merchants, to a vast deal of trouble about the said caviare, and solicit the seizure of their goods and estates as forfeited for debt. All which things, and whatever else has hitherto been done in our foresaid court is more at large set forth in those letters of request aforementioned; which after we had viewed, we thought proper to be transmitted to the most serene republic of Venice, to the end they might be assistant to our merchants in this cause. Upon the whole therefore, it is our earnest request to your highness, and the most illustrious senate, that not only those letters may obtain their due force and weight; but also, that the goods and estates of the merchants, which the foresaid Piatti and David Rutts have endeavoured to make liable to forfeiture, the following answer to your excellency. The parliament, when they gave an answer to those things which were proposed by your excellency at your first audience, as also in those letters which they wrote to the most serene king of Spain, gave real and amp demonstrations, how grateful and how acceptable tha: friendship and that mutual alliance, which was offered by his royal majesty, and by yourself in his name, would be to them; and how fully they were resolved, as far as in them lay, to make the same returns ef friendship and good offices. After that, it seemed good to your excellency, at your first audience in council upon the nineteenth of December old style, to propound to this council, as a certain ground or method for an auspicious comencement of a stricter amity, that some of their body might be nominated, who might hear what your excellency had to propose; and who having well weighed the benefit, that might redound from thence, shad speedily report the same to the council. To which request of yours that satisfaction might be given, the council appointed certain of their number to atta! your excellency, which was done accordingly. B instead of those things, which were expected to hair been propounded, the conference produced no mere than the above mentioned paper: to which the answer of the council is this. When the parliament shall have declared their minds. and your excellency shall have made the progress above expected, we shall be ready to confer with re excellency, and to treat of such matters as you sa propose in the name of the king your master, as w in reference to the friendship already concluded, as entering into another more strict and binding; or to any thing else, which shall be offered by oursel in the name of this republic: and when we descend particulars, we shall return such answers as are proper, and the nature of the thing proposed shall † quire. Whitehall, March 21, 1652. |