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The Swedish extraordinary ambassador, having concluded a treaty with his highness, is upon his return home, very well contented. We are also very near the conclusion of a marine treaty with the Dutch ambassador, for the settling of matters of commerce and navigation. I can tell you nothing of our fleet upon the Spanish seas, nor of the treaty with Portugal, more than we know not the condition of either, but are, and have been, in daily expectation of letters from thence.

Most of the time is taken up in preparing for the parliament, which is to be the 17th of September

next.

I remain, your affectionate friend and servant,

Jo. THURLOE.

MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE.

Zurich, July 17-27, 1656.

SIR, By yours of June 26th, I understood his highness's resolution to call a parliament in September next. Almighty God direct their consultations, and preserve them from the exorbitances of some of their predecessors !

By your next, I hope to hear what news the court received from Lisbon concerning the wounding of the English agent there, and the ratification of the peace with England. If it be ratified, it will not be

long ere it be published, and then I should be glad to have a copy of the articles of the treaty ; otherwise, here we shall be cozened with false articles, coined at Milan by the Spaniards, to the dishonour and disadvantage of England and Portugal.

Yet, whatsoever the published articles be, they will not fail to spread fictions, under the title of secret articles. When the French treaty was published, there was a paper of eight articles scattered abroad, as the principal part of the treaty. I think Mr. Morland sent it you at that time; but, because I am not sure of it, I here send you a copy of it. In this country, a great number do yet believe it as firmly as their creed.

I do not yet hear that the French ambassador hath delivered a copy of the speech that he made to the deputies at Baden eight days ago. It was full of compliment and gratulation that they were in so fair a way of pacifying their country; offering his service, if it might be any way further useful to that purpose. The same day, a Burgundian agent had audience there. He brought the yearly tribute for protection; and prayed them to remember to include the free country of Burgundy at the renewing of their league with France, which the protestant cantons will certainly do, though the popish cantons chopped up the renovation with France, and seemed to forget their neighbours of Franche

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445

Comte, contrary to their promise, confirmed by their subscription and seals.

The next day, the arbitrators heard the complaint of the citizens of Rapperswill, and other places subject to the popish cantons. They reckoned up their particular losses in the late war. The popish deputies were very earnest to have the Zurich deputies present at this complaint; but they refused, saying, that the instrument of pacification did not oblige them to be present, which the arbitrators admitted for a sufficient reason, well perceiving that their presence was desired to cause new provocations, which the arbitrators are willing to avoid, as desiring to compose the old quarrels before they adjourn, or set an end to this present session.

At Zurich, the committee of sixteen hath not yet made an end of amending the articles of the league with France. In the last article, they would include England, &c. Some of them have spoken with me about it. I have no order to pray them to do it, nor to tell them in what manner I would have it done. I am not able to give them account whether they were included in the late treaty between England and France, or to give them a reason why they were not. One of the senators told the rest, that it was no wonder if they were not included in such a treaty, being, in a manner, nothing but a cessation of hostility at sea, and a restitution of commerce, which were things that could not much

concern the cantons; for, as for those eight secret articles, concerning the conjunction of arms, &c., I had told him, that they must needs be fictions; because we were not then come to so near and inward amity; nor, for aught I know, are we yet, though France desire it.

I am, Sir, your humble and faithful servant.

P. S. From Frankfort - upon -the - Maine they write, that a secretary of the Earl of Bucquoy arrived there the last of June, and told some there, that they should shortly see the archduke march, generalissimo over a huge imperial army, into Prussia, to recover the goods which there belong to the Teutonical order; in plain English, to divert the King of Sweden from Poland.

SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. PELL.

Whitehall, 17th July, 1656.

SIR,-At length we have received letters from his highness's agent at Lisbon, with the king's ratification of the treaty, to his highness's contentment, although it be to be suspected, that he did it rather out of constraint than willingly. The doing thereof was delayed until our fleet came before Lisbon river, and then, not knowing what their intentions might be, he signed the peace, and payed the fifty thousand pounds, which is brought into the Thames

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447

in two frigates. Those letters confirm the hurt the agent received from two assassins, who intended to murder him; his left hand was shot through, as he was leaning his head upon it. The truth is, his preservation was miraculous. At the same time, we had letters from the fleet, who are yet upon the coast of Spain, without having had any opportunity of action. The Spaniard lies close locked up in his harbours, and hath a very great army to defend his coast. I suppose you will have had a perfect account of the great success the Spaniard hath had against the French, before Valenciennes,* before this can come to you, and therefore I will say nothing Yours of the 26th of June is come to

of it.

Your affectionate friend to serve you,
Jo. THURLOE.

COLONEL LOCKHART TO MR. PELL.

Charlon, 17th July, 1656.

HONOURED SIR,-I have received yours of the 29th of June last, which doth much oblige me, since you have been thereby pleased to promise me the kindness of your correspondence. What you

* Don John of Austria and the Prince of Condé, with the Spaniards, entirely defeated the French under Turenne and La Ferté, and drove them from their trenches before Valenciennes, on the 16th of July.