hence, and that it was not fit to trouble so many men for so unnecessary a thing, and so small a time. The papists would not be satisfied with this. The arbiters thought both parties would be satisfied, if the new prefect, who was to succeed ten weeks hence, should presently go thither and be admitted; so that the people might then swear obedience to him after the usual manner, and that at the same time they shall renew their oath to obey the old prefect till the new one returned. This the papists seemed contented withal, but the protestants answered, they were content to let Turgow be new sworn to the old prefect, provided that all the other common prefectures were also new sworn; for which there was much more reason, seeing they were all perjured, having assisted the papists, and borne arms against Zurich and Berne, who were as much their sovereigns as any of the other; whereas Turgow* had not borne arms against the popish cantons, but only had obeyed Zurich (one of their joint lords), which, with greater force than they could withstand, had seized upon their places of strength and then commanded them to keep the peace among themselves, and not to stir out of their country to join with either side. The popish deputies were advised not to touch this string any more, because

* Or Turgovy, one of the nine towns or districts subject to the power of the Swiss cantons.

1656.]

CHARLES II. AND THE SPANIARDS.

389

it sounded so much to the disgrace of so many papists in their Dutch and Italian prefectures; so that, after a long contest of two or three days, they seem to let fall this complaint against Turgow; and it is thought they will to-morrow produce some new grievance.

I am, Sir, your humble and faithful servant.

In the country of Turgow are between nine and ten thousand men fit for war, whereof at least seven thousand are protestants, and about two thousand five hundred papists.

By this post, I hope to send to Mr. Morland a copy of the French ambassador's speech, but I shall have no time to English it: perhaps he may, so that he may send it you this week with the translation.

AN EXTRACT FROM SECRETARY THURLOE'S LETTER TO MR. PELL.

17th April, 1656.

If there had been any such great news here as your letter makes mention of, I should not have failed to have given you notice of it. I bless God his highness hath had his health of late very well. What hopes C. Stewart hath from the Spaniard*

* As the connexion became closer during the between England and France, Charles II. was the French king, and banished out of that country.

present year slighted by

He and his

everybody takes notice of, and no wonder that he hath, seeing he is become a son of the church, he having agreed with the Spaniard, as I am certainly informed, to alter his religion, and become a papist, by which we see, and so will the world, what religion he will have, if he ever prevails in his business. We do not hear of our fleet since its departure from our coast, which was the 28th of March. There is nothing that hath arrived here that is worth the writing.

I remain, your affectionate friend,

Jo. THURLOE.

MR. MORLAND TO MR. PELL.

SIR, I have received yours of April 17th, and the enclosed speech, with a letter for Mr. A. Peters, which I shall faithfully send. About half an hour since, I received the enclosed from Mr. Secretary for you; who also sent me Mr. Chamberlaine's (the London merchant) answer, or rather confutation of that account which I formerly sent of the conveyance of the nine thousand five hundred pounds

party were immediately entertained by the King of Spain, who hoped to make him an useful instrument against the Protector, with whom, as well as France, he was now at war. Many and various reports were spread of the conditions which Charles had accepted of the Spaniards.

1656.]

PELL AT BADEN.

391

sterling. It is a paper which he has given in to the council, full of most bitter words against all your and my transactions, in order to the taking the money out of Mr. Calandrin's hands, though I am persuaded, without any foundation. However, I perceive it may procure, in all probability, my undoing, though I bless God I am most innocent as to the affair. I shall send you a copy of it by the next opportunity. In the meantime, I beg your pardon for not writing more largely, as being something troubled, and remain,

Sir, your most humble and faithful servant,
S. MORLAND.

(Received April 26th, at Baden.)

MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE,

Baden, April 24th, 1656.

SIR,-I came hither April 16th. The next day I wrote to you somewhat largely from hence. I hope it is come to your hands; though none of yours came the last week to Geneva, as no doubt Mr. M. hath told you. The messenger would make him believe that his horse was drowned in the river Rhodanus, and all the letters lost; but Colonel Mey and the French ambassador received their

French letters here, by the way of Lyons and Geneva, the last week, without any sign of wet; and therefore I fear the fellow was corrupted to deliver Mr. Morland's packet to the too inquisitive hands of somebody near Lyons. Howsoever, it fell out very inconveniently for me, who then expected your answer to my long letter of March 13th.

Since my last, I visited the French ambassador. He hath been in my lodgings to repay my visit. Our discourse was both times long, and all in Latin, which language he speaks well and readily. He believes that I can promote the league between France and the protestant cantons; and would have me persuade Zurich to make more haste. I answered, that Zurich could not easily be persuaded to think of that renovation, till they see an end of this controversy with their neighbours. M. H. Van Ommeren hath not yet spoken with the French ambassador, for the reason expressed in my last week's letter. This morning Colonel Mey told me, that last night the ambassador of Savoy gave Mr. Van Ommeren the first visit. If he did so, the English resident may perhaps expect that the like honour should be done to him by the same ambassador. The deputies of the protestant cantons have not yet expressed any necessity of my speaking with him.

Their affairs here are not much advanced. The