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1656.]

PACIFICATION IN SWITZERLAND.

373

speech, I concluded, telling them that some of that which had been said might be presently written, and sent into England this week, with the writing which they had then delivered to me, which, with my other letters for Geneva, I intended to send away as soon as I could by an express that might overtake the Geneva postilion in the way, or find him to-morrow morning, before he went out of his lodging.

SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. PELL.

Whitehall, 20th March, 1655. SIR,-I have had no letter from you since your departure from Geneva; Mr. Morland sent me yours to him by the last post, whereby we are confirmed that the peace is concluded between the protestant and popish cantons; and hope by your next to receive the whole state of that business, which is longed for, that H. H. may be able to give you such further directions as is necessary. In the meantime, I think we need not make any great haste to return the intended loan. I hope you have received H. H.'s instructions to you, in reference to a treaty which might be between them; and, if anything be yet left to be done of that nature (which we know not), I suppose you will apply yourself thereto, in the most effectual way appearing to you.

Our fleet is gone to sea towards Spain; but I fear they are not far proceeded on their voyage, in respect there hath been very bad weather since their going forth. We are here in a very quiet condition; those called fifth-monarchy men, whose numbers are very inconsiderable, would work some trouble, but are not able, but do lose in the little esteem they have every day. I can add nothing but the assurance that I am

Your very affectionate friend and servant,

Jo. THURLOe.

MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE.

SIR,-In my last week's letter, I sent a copy of Mr. H. Van Ommeren's new credentials, as Prolegatus extraordinarius in these countries, as also the copies of letters from the French king, and dukes of Venice and Savoy. I added the Latin paper which was delivered to me March 20th, by the consul of Zurich, as the sum of what he had said to me. I hope all these are come to your hand. I have since received a copy of that Latin paper for myself, and have discoursed with some of them concerning it, as also concerning this other paper, which I send herewith; so that I have made some way toward the full understanding of their minds. for both. This obligation, which I now send, was

1656.]

THE ABBOT OF ST. GALL.

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shewn me four days ago, in High Dutch, as a first draught. To-day, one of their senators sends me this Latin translation, and in an adjoined letter tells me, they have sent it to Berne, that they may agree in one form. It is very likely that Berne will make some alterations; yet I thought it might be worth my labour to transcribe it, that I might keep their original, and let England see a copy. Perhaps the next week may give me some other form. In the meantime, this may be read at court, and something may be inferred concerning the genius of this place. Mr. Morland hath promised me a copy of the accord that he hath made at Geneva for seven thousand pounds. If I had read that accord, I should be a little fitter to discourse with this people concerning that business.

The meeting at Arraw mentioned in my last is put off. Berne desired the meeting, and Berne hath since signified that it is unnecessary.

It

Since my last, we have news that the abbot of St. Gall refuses to subscribe the amnesty. seems, he resolves to question his protestant subjects for their behaviour in the late war, as having favoured the Tigurines, and disobeyed his summons. This may prove an occasion of renewing the war, if some course be not taken at the court of arbitrators which is to begin its session April 9th, that is, about a fortnight hence, for this was written by your humble servant, March 27th.

SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. PELL.

27th March, 1656.

SIR, Yours of the 6th instant I received upon Monday last, with the copy of the treaty between the cantons, and other papers enclosed therein.

By mine, written to you the last post, you will see that upon the news of the peace the lending of the twenty thousand pounds was suspended, the intention being, and so it was expressed, to supply them with that sum for their wars, which being now ended, the reason of the loan is taken away. So that there will be now no need to give any instructions further about the business; nor have I anything else to add touching the affairs in those parts.

His highness is sending a gentleman to France, who will begin his journey the beginning of the week; he is a Scotchman, and of the council in Scotland; his name is Colonel Lockhart,* and he has lately married one of his highness's nieces.

M. Bourdeaux, the French ambassador, is returned from France hither: he arrived here yesterday. Our fleet is yet in the channel, having been

* An interesting memoir of Sir William Lockhart is given in Noble's Lives of the Cromwells. He served first with the success, and disgusted

royal party; but despairing of its at the treatment which he received from Charles II., he entered the service of Cromwell, and in April, 1654 (according to Noble's account), married Robina Sewster, daughter of

1656.]

DEATH OF BISHOP USHER.

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hindered from their intended voyage by contrary winds above these ten days.

The learned Bishop of Armagh, Dr. Usher, died upon Friday last, and his highness hath appointed him to be honourably interred, in Henry the Seventh's chapel, at the charge of the state. I have nothing else to trouble you with, but rest, Your affectionate friend and servant,

Jo. THURLOE.

MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURloe.

Zurich, April 3rd, 1656.

SIR,―The Senate here is preparing all things for the grand assembly of all the cantons at Baden, which is to begin six days hence, where they say the ambassadors of France and Savoy will appear. They know that the French ambassador will call upon them to renew their league; and therefore this senate hath begun to think upon the conditions that may be proposed to him. Some would have them called new conditions of the everlasting peace, saying, that the name of a mercenary league is

John Sewster, Esq., of Wistow, in Huntingdonshire, whose wife was a sister of the Protector. Lockhart took ship at Rye on the 14th of April, 1656, on his way to France. He died March 20th, 1675-6, in the service of Charles II. Colonel Lockhart was knighted by the Protector on the 10th of December, 1656. Lockhart commanded the six thousand veterans sent by Cromwell to the aid of Louis XIV.

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