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alphabet, are not yet come to my hands, but I hope to receive them to-morrow, it being usual to have your packets by the same post to come a day after each other. I had all your former letters and papers, whereby, as also by the letter received by this post, I see what the state of affairs is with the Piedmontois, and what the apprehensions of their protestant neighbours are about the peace concluded between them and the duke, which do not differ from those here. But my last gave you, I trust, satisfaction as to the Protector's further interposing therein for the present. What Providence may lead unto afterwards, I cannot foresee; I think it is very good to wait upon God therein. In the meantime I cannot but observe, that until the peace was concluded, the neighbours of these poor people express no such zeal to their cause, as they now seem to do, when the state of things is now altered (as you speak). And if the Swisses would not be prevailed with before the treaty to declare themselves in any vigorous terms, it cannot be expected that now, after a peace concluded (whereof the French is upon the matter the guardian), they will advise, much less do anything towards a new irruption. If I had a right measure of their temper from Mr. Pell, as I believe I had, they were not to be engaged in this business further than to an amicable interposition, and so much they did profess in terms, as I have it in one of Mr. Pell's

1

letters, with the reasons of such their resolution; and it is certain whatsoever they now may pretend, they are secretly glad that the matter is now compounded. They said, they had no money; they must look to their own peace, having so many papists in their own bowels; and lastly, they must not offend France. No arguments of honour or religion will answer any one of these things; and I pray ask Mr. Pell, if these things be not so. Further addresses to the duke on this subject will be without fruit and dishonourable, as matters now stand, and may possibly tend to engage some good people to action, which we here cannot back them in. And, therefore, the resolutions signified to you by my last have been thought here the most profitable and sure,-viz., that Mr. Downing do forthwith return to give an account of the state of things, and Mr. Pell and you remain about the distribution of the money arising by the collection. And I do imagine that I may have directions by the next concerning your return also, after that the way of the distribution is agreed upon, leaving Mr. Pell to finish what shall remain behind. And if, hereafter, anything shall fall out which may administer other considerations, Mr. Pell will advertise thereof, to whom instructions may be given to proceed according as the nature of things shall require.

The news here is very little, save that General Pen is come home with part of the fleet, leaving a

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good squadron behind him. He arrived here the last of August. The state of things there is represented truly by the enclosed print, and this day I have received a letter from General Venables from Portsmouth, whither he is come also in one single ship. He had his health so ill there, that he was made incapable for any service, and so is come away, and hath left the island in a good condition. I have no further to add, but

Remain your very affectionate friend,

Jo. THURLOE.

MR. MORLAND TO MR. PELL.

Geneva, 13th Sept. 1655, old style, Thursday.

SIR,-On Tuesday last, Mr. Downing and I received each of us a letter from Mr. Secretary Thurloe, the substance whereof was, that they have received all our packets and informations concerning the late conclusion; that my Lord Protector was extremely troubled at it, and now begins to see that his neighbours are not so hearty and affectionate for the deliverance and establishment of those poor people as himself; and that they are so little sensible (I put Mr. Secretary's own words) of the blood that has been shed, and the great calamities which the protestants undergo, that they forthwith set themselves rather to compose by any means the difference, than to hazard anything, either to avenge

the bloodshed or to undertake the rights of those who do survive. The Switsers, their next neighbours, and who only were able to afford men, have drawn the people to these terms; and if my Lord Protector had encouraged them to reject all offers contrary to the opinion of the Switsers, the statesgeneral, and the other protestants, he had obliged himself singly, and upon his own account, to have defended them; and which way could that have been, considering the remoteness of this and that country.'

د,

In sum, and upon the whole, my Lord Protector is extremely troubled, and will take no resolution before he has spoken with Mr. Downing, and received an account from him of all things, and therefore has ordered Mr. Downing with all possible speed to return back to London. And, accordingly, Mr. Downing set out of Geneva towards Lyons yesterday (Wednesday), about eleven of the clock, and so will hasten for England. As for yourself and me, we are to stay at Geneva for further directions, as well for the distribution of the money as for what else may occur hereafter.

These are the very words; but now Mr. Downing told me, that his letter did run thus,-viz., "That Mr. Pell and Mr. Morland were to abide in their stations for further instructions," so that I apprehend it will not be absolutely necessary for you to incommode yourself to return immediately to

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Geneva; however, I have sent you the very words, and you will better judge thereby what is best to do.

On Tuesday night, here did arrive the extraordinary commissioner from the states-general. Mr. Downing and I had a conference with him, and we find (as you also know, having, as I understand, met with him on the way) that he was then informed of none of the late occurrences; but, however, he spoke very much to this purpose: that his lords were extremely sensible of the sad condition of these poor people, and were very cordial to join for their deliverance. He has since desired me earnestly to write to you to join with him in desiring a general assembly of the cantons; and that also the said assembly may be in Losanne, or some place as near to Geneva as possible. I believe he will desire an assembly as soon as may be. We have no other news stirring; so soon as there is, you shall hear from,

Sir, your very humble servant, S. MORLAND. What you will do, and how you will deal with the Switsers, you best know. It would be well if they would take some course to satisfy my Lord Protector in all points, and now join in the endeavouring a deliverance for these poor people. I know not how far you may communicate these things to the Switsers; you will better judge.