I have received two letters, dated August 14th, from Mr. Morland, hastening me to come away; and yet I do not perceive that he, or any other at Geneva, hath had any notice from any city in France that the English commissioner is so far on his way; so that I hope I shall be at Geneva before him, being now ready for that journey. And therefore I crave leave to break off thus hastily. I am, Sir, your humble servant. MR. MORLAND TO MR. PELL. SIR, I have received yours of August 16th, whereby I am glad to understand that you are of opinion that my Lord Protector and the states of Holland will by no means approve of this late sudden and immature pacification, which, in all human probability, if not undone or much amended, will prove of worse consequence to those poor people than the continuance of a war, considering what a hopeful way they were in to vanquish in a short time the duke's forces, and become masters of those valleys; besides the great scandal to all the protestants of Europe, that those poor people should ever subscribe or confess themselves guilty of rebellion, and so bring upon their own heads all the innocent blood of so many of their wives and children. I have already communicated what you 1655.] CONQUEST OF JAMAICA. 259 desire to the senate of Geneva, who do very zealously and cordially mind this business. I hear no distinct news of Mr. Downing as yet where he is, save only in a letter that I just now received from Mr. Secretary Thurloe, who writes that he set out of London the 1st of August (English style), as also that he received a letter from him of the 6th of August (English style), from Bologne: I long very much to see him. Mr. Secretary sent me an English news-book, wherein there is this considerable :-That the English forces, by the cowardice of one Jackson, lost about three hundred men in Hispaniola, whereof was Major-General Heanes ; whereupon they quitted Hispaniola, and landed at Jamaica, and quickly became masters of that island, in which is the town called St. Jago de la Vega, a place able to quarter two thousand men. They report that this island far surpasses Hispaniola for cattle, plantations, &c. I have no more at present, but that I am, Sir, your affectionate servant, SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. PELL. 10th September, 1655. SIR, I received a paper, directed to me as yours used to be, and written, I suppose, with the hand yours are usually written in, which, therefore, I imagine, came from you from Geneva, although your name be not to it. I suppose Mr. Downing is arrived with you at Geneva before now, and hath communicated to you the instructions which were given to him with yourself and Mr. Morland by his highness, in reference to the persecution in Savoy. But, since his going hence, affairs have been much altered by the peace which hath been concluded ;* *The following copy of instructions, sent to the commissioners about this time, are preserved among the Pell papers : 1. To go to Berne, and there to complain of the late peace made by the Duke of Savoy, and how destructive it must needs be to the poor people of the valleys. 2. To let them know how it is everywhere, amongst the protestants, looked upon as a thing done with the consent of the ambassadors of the evangelical cantons, and exceedingly laid to heart; especially, considering that a commissioner extraordinary was then upon his way from his highness of England, and another from the states of Holland; and withal, the little respect shewn to the ambassadors of the cantons, not vouchsafing to mention them in the treaty, or rather concessions. 3. To know whether they will own and acquiesce in this treaty, or will not send new instructions to their ambassadors at Turin to complain against this peace, and seek to have it renewed and mended. 4. That they have all the reason possible so to do, considering that the treaty is not signed by their ambassadors; that it was a thing brought on by the menaces of the French ambassador; that things since the treaty have been foisted into it highly to the disadvantage of the protestants; that also what is in it is not observed, but on the contrary, La Tour being now fortifying by the Duke of Savoy. 5. That yourself, and two more of us, being now at Geneva, 1655.] DOWNING RECALLed. 261 and that hath necessarily altered his highness's intentions, and hath occasioned the sending of other instructions to Mr. Downing, which, I suppose, are arrived with him,-viz., for his return home, to give an account of the state of affairs as he finds them; and you and Mr. Morland are to remain at Geneva until further order concerning the distribution of the money arising by the collection, in such manner as is directed by the joint instructions delivered to Mr. Downing, which he is to leave with you; will be ready any or all of us to go to Turin, (where some of us, at least, will be very speedily,) there vigorously to prosecute the amendment of the treaty, and to do what further may be necessary, in case the duke will not yield thereunto. 6. That sixty thousand pounds is voluntarily gathered in England for the relief of these people; that we are ready to dispose of it in such a way as may really tend to the good and security of the people. 7. That the case of these people may be to-morrow the case of the protestants in France, or elsewhere. And if it shall be enough, after horrible massacres, to grant such abominable concessions as these, assuredly this will be the greatest encouragement imaginable to the papists elsewhere to attempt the protestants. 8. That the treaty between his highness and the king of France is agreed, but that his highness will not sign it until he have satisfaction in this business of Piedmont; and that as he hath caused a large contribution to be made for them, so that he cannot, nor will not, desert them. Pasted on, in Mr. Secretary Thurloe's hand : "Present my service to Mr. Pell, if he be with you. I wrote not to him, because I have not yet heard of his arrival." and when the way and manner of that is agreed upon, Mr. Morland is also to return, and to leave it unto you to finish that business, and to transact such other things as the providence of God may lead unto. At the present, we here cannot see what is farther to be done, considering that the Swiss have not only manifested a coldness in this business, as to any vigorous proceedings, but are now interested in the treaty of peace, and in all the disadvantages contained therein. And none other construction can be made of their letter to Turin, of which you have sent me a copy, but that they like well what is done, yet are willing to carry it civilly, and with respect to England. The print which I have sent to Mr. Downing will let you see the truth of our affairs at Jamaica. General Venables is since arrived at Portsmouth. I have not seen him yet, but he hath left things as they were when General Pen left them. I remain, your affectionate friend and servant, SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. MORLAND. Whitehall, 10th September, 1655. SIR, I received yours of the 28th August, old style, but the several papers which you mention to have sent with it, marked with the letters of the |