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ceived likewise one from Mr. Dury, and have very little to say at this time to any of them. I yet see no great matter administered to us here, from affairs with you, to cause any further resolutions for the further improvement of your negotiation; but it is possible that the providence of God may open a way to that which yet we do not see. In the meantime, you will at least understand the temper and inclinations of that people, and will have opportunity to represent what the dispositions are here, as well towards them as all the protestants, and also let them know the truth of our affairs in civil things.

We are employed here wholly in prosecuting the late rebels, and in finding out the bottom of their design. It pleased God to discover somewhat of it before it broke out openly, and all means were used to prevent it; but God would have their intentions made manifest, which very few could believe before, and hath thereby very much confirmed and established things in the way they are now in. There are two commissions of Oyer and Terminer issued out for the trial of these rebels, one for the west, and another for the north; that for the west is to be sit upon next Wednesday, that in the north, upon Monday se'nnight. This is the first time that treasons against the government have been submitted to juries since the year 1646, and we do not doubt but to have good issue of it.

The French ambassador is yet here, but no nearer the conclusion of the treaty, than at this time twelvemonth. We do believe here that France knew very well of the late design here, and had correspondences about it with C. S., and there are many symptoms of it; at the very same time when the rebels did rise here, they seized upon all our merchants' ships and goods in France, by an ordonnance of the council there; but since the rebellion is suppressed, that ordonnance hath been somewhat mitigated. For aught we understand, things are but in a loose condition between these two nations; and they are not all satisfied here of the clearness and sincerity of the proceeding of France in this treaty. Nothing has occurred since, more than what I have troubled you with, therefore I rest, your assured friend to serve you, ADRIAN PETERS.

MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE.

Sent April 8th.

From Nuremberg, March 17-27.- The last letters from Hamburg say, that the Swedes make great preparations to help the King of Scots; and that the whole circle of Lower Saxony hath no other design for the levies and warlike preparations now made there; that the kindred and allies of Harrison and Overton are very numerous, and are resolved to set them at liberty.

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From Cologne, March 25.-Men write from England, that the royalists have taken Salisbury, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Yarmouth, and other places. A person of very great quality assures us, that England generally declares for King Charles; and that the Protector, not daring to stay in London, went to Windsor, yet, changing his mind, came back again to London, but found the gates shut against him.

The last week's news printed at Bern hath left out all the monstrous lies of Cologne and Constance concerning the affairs of England.

Our messenger is not yet returned from Turin; but, by letters from Geneva, we understand that the deputies of the reformed churches of Piedmont have petitioned the Duke of Savoy, and were answered, that a week after Easter they should know what his highness would determine. In the meantime, the said churches have kept a solemn fast, and bound themselves again by oath to continue constant in their union.

From Paris, April 6, (new style.)—King Charles is landed in Yorkshire, where there are many catholics that will hide him, till it be safe for him to appear. The treaty between France and England is nearer to a breach, than to an accommodation.

MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE.

April 14, 1655.

SIR, M. Dury and I have read yours of March 23, and were glad to see that your affairs at home were not so troublesome as to hinder you from thinking upon the poor Piedmontois. I hope the next week I shall be able to give you a fuller answer to the questions which you ask concerning them. The Duke of Savoy seems to take it very heinously that his subjects complain to foreigners. I think the

cantons intend to answer, that they had the information, not from the sufferers, but from their neighbours of Geneva and Dauphiné, who are none of his subjects. You may be informed concerning Piedmont from some of the preachers of the French and Dutch churches in London, who (as I told you in my letter of March 4) had made a collection for them before they heard anything of their banishment. Besides, there is about London one Monsieur Rubbati, of Piedmont, who can give a more particular account of many things which you may desire to know. Mr. Hartlib will be able to find him out

for you, when your leisure will permit you to speak with him. Easter-day produces twenty-four hours of extraordinary haste in our postage, and unforeseen by us, so that our letters must be written in such posthaste, that I have scarce time to read over these two transcripts that I send you herewith enclosed concerning that business; yet it is fit I should do it, and therefore I can only take time to subscribe myself, Sir, your humble servant.

SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. PELL.

20th April, 1655.

SIR,-I received two from you by this post, one of the 25th, and the other of the 31st of March,

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with those enclosed also from Mr. Dury. All that I have to acquaint you with by this post is, the blessing of God to us by our continual peace. The trial of the rebels is not yet over. At Salisbury there are seven condemned to die for high treason, and thirteen more found guilty by the grand jury, which are run away. The commissioners are now sitting at Exeter, where I suppose ten or twelve more will be condemned. We did not think fit to try them all: pœna ad paucos, metus ad omnes. The juries found them as readily as if they had been thieves and robbers. M. Coyet, the Swedish agent, has had his audience, and has brought the ratification of the treaty. The treaty with France yet sticks. I rest, your assured friend,

ADRIAN PETERS.

My true love to Mr. Dury.

MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE.

April 21st, 1655.

SIR,-When I had the last week written to Mr. Secretary Thurloe, in the behalf of a citizen that was going to London, I was told that my letters must be ready sooner by twenty-four hours than they were wont. I was therefore constrained to write to you shorter than I intended. In the read