1655.] TREATY WITH SAVOY. 253 England and Holland; as also that I would go to Turin, in case these ambassadors came speedily. For my part, I have, to the best of my understanding and utmost endeavour, hitherto laboured for those poor people, and would willingly (if I know my own heart) spend my life in the cause. But I long to see you, and also the ambassador from England, that some speedy counsel may be taken. I have this hour despatched another letter to the ambassadors, to entreat them to find some way to extricate themselves for a few days, certifying them that there were vast sums of money on the way. Sir, I am your most faithful and affectionate servant, S. MORLAND. SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. PELL. August, 1655. SIR,-By my last, I signified to you his highness's pleasure for your repair to Geneva, there to meet the persons sent from his highness, concerning the distribution of the money collected here for the relief of the persecuted protestants of Savoy, and for other reasons which I did particularly acquaint you with the last week, and shall not now repeat them, hoping that those letters came safe to your hands. One of the persons who meets you comes from Turin, and I believe he is already parted from Turin; the other went from hence upon Monday last, with instructions to make all the haste he could to Geneva, and therefore, unless you make very great haste, they will stay long for you. But I am not without hope that you may be departed from Zurich before this will arrive there, and shall for that reason write the less unto you by this, and the next you may expect from me at Geneva. A Swedish extraordinary ambassador arrived here, had his audience in public on Friday last, and a secret conference the next day after. He speaks much of the good intentions of his master to the protestant cause and interest, and that he will cast his designs that way. In the meantime, he bends his forces towards Prussia and Poland. That king* hath an ambassador with him at this time, and they are in treaty, which the last letters made very hopeful, and then there will be other expectations of what design he will undertake. We have no further news from the West Indies since my last. I remain, Your affectionate friend and servant, * The King of Poland. 1655.] MR. DOWNING. 255 MR. MORLAND TO MR. PELL. Geneva, 14th August, 1655. SIR,-This hour, I received a letter from Mr. Secretary Thurloe of the 2nd of August, 1655, English style. Whereby I understand that Mr. Downing set out of London the 8th August, English style, with orders to make what possible haste he can to Geneva, where (as Mr. Secretary writes) you will meet Mr. Downing and me to consult about the means of relieving those poor people, and of disposing of 70001. amongst their families, or as they have other occasions for money. I pose you have likewise received orders for setting out for this place. I am in expectation every hour of my third✶ and last express that I sent to Pignerol, by which it is probable I shall understand more of the ambassador's proceedings, and I am no less desirous of enjoying your company and consolation in this time of need, who shall always desire to approve myself, Sir, your very affectionate servant, sup S. MORLAND. * "I have sent you a copy of the letter the people of the valleys sent me, in answer to mine of the second express.' Note in the original. MR. MORLAND TO MR. PELL. Geneva, 14th August, 1655. SIR, I wrote you a letter this day by the ordinary post, to signify unto you that I have received this morning a letter from Mr. Secretary, in answer to my first letter from Geneva, in which were the duke's answer, the senate of Geneva their letter, and many other papers. Mr. Secretary writes, that you are to be suddenly at Geneva, to meet Mr. Downing and myself, to consult about this affair. And, indeed, now there is no small reason for me by these lines most earnestly to beg of you to hasten by all means your coming hither. I wrote you in my last, that the Swiss ambassadors had concluded the business at Pignerol, and that it was the great fear of most knowing men here, that it was such a peace as it would turn to the utter undoing of those poor people. This afternoon, I have received an answer to my third express that I sent to Pignerol, that all is done, and ratified in the usual form by the senate, and at Turin. For my part, I am something astonished at the sudden alteration of affairs; but I suspend my judgment till I speak with you face to face. I expect Mr. Downing every moment. I beseech you to come with all speed, for it is a matter of no small consequence, and something must be speedily done. I beg of you also to send with all speed to the 1655.] PELL'S NEGOTIATIONS. 257 ambassador of Holland by all means to come forward, notwithstanding this noise of all being concluded. You will see the whole relation by the papers of the ambassadors; and it is impossible for me to send them to you at this moment, being preparing to write to England, and despatching a messenger to meet Mr. Downing, to entreat him to come forward with all haste. Sir, my humble service to Mr. Ulrich. Dear Sir, I am your most humble and affectionate servant, S. MORLAND. MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE. August 18th, 1655. SIR,―These are only to give have received yours of July 27. you notice, that I The four cities seem not agreed in the place to meet us; but when they shall hear that we are together, and ready to give their deputies a meeting, I doubt not but they will find time and place for it. I do not yet hear where the Low-Dutch commissioner is, nor have they any certainty that he is upon the way; but I have taken order with them to send me notice of it as soon as he shall come to Basil. Zurich hath written to-day to their ambassadors at Turin to tarry there till one come from England to them, or till further order from hence. |