1655.] AFFAIRS OF SWITZERLAND. 223 stay at home than serve Savoy, who, they think, hath very little money, and is a bad paymaster. The popish cantons generally seem desirous to renew their league by oath with the rest, which hath not been done these one hundred and thirty years. Whereupon a new draught of a confederation was given in writing to the deputies of every canton; and all of them, by the middle of November, are to send to Zurich their approbation or dislike of those articles. The French ambassador's proposition to that assembly was only to persuade them to concord, and to renew the league among themselves. They gave him an answer of mere compliment. The burgomasters paid their yearly tribute; and prayed them, that when they renewed the league with France, they would remember to include the county of Burgundy as a neutral; that, though it might be subject to Spain, and lie as it were in France, they might not be obliged to serve in the wars for or against either of those kings. The Bishop of Basil would be admitted a confederate. They answered, that they were now his protectors: it would be time enough to speak of that admission when the years of protection were expired. The Spanish agent came not till all were gone, save the deputies of Zurich. He thanked them for their favourable answer to the Burgundians; and told them, that the governor of Milan had commanded him to tell them, that he had taken order to exempt all their subjects from the inquisition; so that they might trade in the city and duchy of Milan without fear, &c. The rest of their affairs were amongst themselves. The protestant deputies, when they were alone, had some discourse what was to be done further in the business of Piedmont, but agreed only in this, that no resolution could be taken till they heard from their ambassadors. They had written to the Elector of Brandenburgh concerning Piedmont. His answer came yesterday. I have not yet read it. They say, he promiseth a collection for them. I will trouble you no further at this time; but, praying for the confirmation of your health, and abilities to undergo your weighty employments, I remain, Sir, your humble servant. Postscript. From Zurich, July 22.-Yesternight, our lords received a letter from the French ambassador residing at Soloturn; wherein he assures them, that the king, his master, hath referred that business of Piedmont to M. Servient, his ambassador at Turin (a papist), and to lieutenant-general Mombrun, who is of the same religion with the poor men of the valleys; and he believes they will be able to make a good end. They received a letter from their ambassadors, 1655.] THE NEGOTIATIONS AT TURIN. 225 dated at Turin, July 14-24; wherein they signify that they came thither that day, about nine o'clock in the morning; and that whilst they were writing that letter, the master of the ceremonies came to them, and promised them a speedy audience. SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. PELL. 20th July, 1655. SIR, The enclosed is a duplicate of the instructions which are sent by another way. I hope they will both come to your hands, and you will see by them what his highness's instructions are therein. The sending them unto you has been occasioned by the letter which the cantons sent unto his highness, in answer of his unto them, as also by the notice we have received by the Dutch ambassador here, that the states-general are sending an extraordinary commissioner to the Duke of Savoy, who is to take the cantons in his way, and to communicate with them in the matter of his negotiation. His highness judging it a very convenient time, when the said extraordinary commissioner is there, to take the advantage of further representing to the cantons his sense of the late horrid massacre; whereupon opportunity may be taken for a communication of counsels between you, as our commissioner and VOL. I. deputy, the extraordinary commissioner of the states-general, and the cantons, concerning the restoring of the exiled persons to their possessions and privileges, satisfaction for their losses, punishment to be inflicted upon those who executed this success, and security that the like injuries and cruelties be not exercised upon them for the future, which are the points his highness judges to be the most material to be insisted upon; and whereof, with the best and likeliest means to obtain them from the duke, you are to consider with the cantons and the extraordinary commissioner of the statesgeneral. And in case you should agree of a joint address to the Duke of Savoy concerning those points, or aught else which shall occur upon the place, you shall signify the same unto Mr. Morland, now upon that place, who shall have orders to do accordingly. The matter of the security is the most important point; and without that, the rest is nothing. This conference with them will make way for that which is mentioned in your instructions, to be after his highness's extraordinary commissioner is come to those parts, for which meeting Basle is thought to be the most convenient place. And thence these reasons for sending this extraordinary commissioner thither; because the money which is raised by the collection is to be distributed, and it was not possible to acquaint you, at this distance, or any other person, with the instructions 1655.] DISTRIBUTION OF MONEY COLLECTed. 227 here concerning that, nor could any man be able to manage it, without understanding fully all that has passed here in relation thereunto, which cannot be done by writing. Secondly, that the nation who hath given the money expects that a very good account be given of the bestowing it, and therefore more than one ought to be employed in it; and in case the cantons will send one or more commissioners with you to Basle, the aforesaid commissioner extraordinary will be able to inform and explain unto them fully his highness's instructions concerning this whole business, according to the tenour of the instructions sent unto you. You shall have notice by the next of the time when the aforesaid is like to be at Basle. In the meantime, it is good for you to prepare all things for that journey. All things remain here as they did by my last, nothing having fallen out since worth the writing of, and therefore I will only assure you of my being Your loving friend and servant, J. THURLOE. SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. PELL. Whitehall, 27th July, 1655. SIR, I count Mr. General Downing* (as you * George Downing, son of Calibute Downing, D.D. He was for some time Cromwell's resident in Holland, and taking part with the king at the restoration, he was knighted |