1655.] NEWS FROM JAMAICA. 303 distribution hereof, in respect the nation looks for an account of it. And you are to consider, and take very good advice, in what way the remainder collected upon this account, which will be above thirty thousand pounds more, may be employed for the best advantage of this people for whom it was intended. We had letters this day from the Barbadoes, that our fleet sent last into the West Indies, consisting of twelve ships, wherein was a regiment of foot soldiers, arrived there, in very good health, the 31st of August, and intended, through the blessing of God, to be with the army in Jamaica within a short time after. The peace with France is ratified on both sides, and the war with Spain is like to proceed. I had almost forgot the mention made in the paper of Payerne of the Swisses' desire to be included in the treaty with France; his highness will endeavour it, in case the French will agree thereto. I rest, your affectionate friend and servant, MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE. November 28, Geneva. SIR,-What money we have received of Mr. Calandrin, and how we intend to convey it to Grenoble, Mr. Morland will tell you, who hath also promised me to send you the translation of the heads of that speech which was lately made here to me, to him, and to M. H. Van Ommeren, severally. I shall be careful to get and send you full information in continuation of the enclosed intelligence, as you will me in yours of November 15th. I rest, your humble and faithful servant. From Zurich, November 22nd, old style.-Monday, November the 12th, most of the deputies of the cantons met at Baden ; some papists were absent, because of some holidays to be observed. Monsieur de la Barde, the French ambassador, came hither from Soloturn, with a very fair and great train. He made them a speech, earnestly exhorting them to union, and afterward entertained all the deputies at a banquet. When Zurich had declared their complaints against Switz, they answered, "that they were sovereigns in their own country, and if they roasted their subjects, they need not give any man account of their so doing. Other answer than this," they said, "they would give none." The deputies of Zurich replied, "If ye do not give a better answer, we shall be constrained to make use of such means as God hath given us." So they offered to leave Baden and come home to give order that their army should presently march out of Zurich into the field; but the other protestant cantons, and some of the more moderate popish deputies, prevailed with them to tarry, promising to endeavour to draw Switz to some reason. Zug, Friburg, and Soloturn, seem to have most moderation, but they draw all in one string. Rome encourages them, Milan promiseth them, Austria threatens us. Our neighbouring friends are as cold as the weather. Uri was wont to be very moderate, and Lucerne was saved by Zurich from utter ruin in the last rebellion; and, therefore, all men wondered to find these two cantons taking the part of Switz against Zurich; but we have been told, that it is the contrivance 1655.] TROUBLES IN SWITZERLAND. 305 of a few incendiaries; and, indeed, we hear that Lucern hath taken notice of the horrible slanders that began to be spread concerning those of our religion, and hath published an edict commanding all their subjects to abstain from those slanders under pain of their lives. On Friday last, November 16th, they had a hot dispute at Baden; those of Switz alleging for themselves the national peace (which was formed a little after those of Zurich had been worsted, anno 1531), our deputies presently called for the records. When the whole instrument had been distinctly read, burgomaster Waser made a large declaration, demonstrating that the popish cantons had never observed the principal articles of the peace, but, on the contrary, had since made alliances against us, making more account of those later covenants than of their ancient general treaties; that this deserved no better name than a mere conjuration and sworn conspiracy against us, which we must no longer endure. Divers of the other popish deputies pretend to approve what Zurich demands, and to endeavour to break the obstinacy of Switz. Zurich abides by their first proposal, and requires the other cantons to see justice, and to concur with them against Switz. In the meantime we continue our preparations for the field. As Switz hath begun to fortify their passages towards the bridge of Rapperswill, so Zurich works day and night upon their frontiers, fortifying Wadenswill towards Switz, and Cappel towards Zug. We have three hundred soldiers in Cappel. The deputies of the city of San-Gall, and of the protestant part of Appenzell, have spoken so high to the abbot of SanGall, that he hath taken away his barricades that stopped their way, and hath diminished his guards. The said part of Appenzell hath signified to ours that they have five thousand fighting men ready to go to whatsoever quarter we will appoint. Turgow and Rhintal have declared themselves neutral; their prefects, being at this time papists, have drawn them to this resolution. The abbots and monks thereabouts continue to transport their best moveables into Suevia and other parts. We are no without hopes to bring down the high stomachs of Switz. The people begin to see themselves, as it were, shut up within their mountains; traffic ceasing, and victuals failing them, they will change their mind. MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE. Geneva, Dec. 5. From Zurich, November 28.-Last week it was thought we should have come to an accommodation, but now we see no such hope; our deputies wrote hither that the Switenses continued in their rash resolution, whereupon our council of two hundred assembled, and commanded their deputies to treat no longer with them, but to dissolve the assembly of Baden, and come home. It seems, the sword must determine these questions; at least, we shall take the field and try if that be a more lucky place to treat in than within town-walls; if not, we shall publish a manifesto, and use no more delay. To-morrow morning the great council of two hundred are to meet, to hear their deputies, and deliberate what is next to be done. The same day and place; another hand. Our deputies are returned without hope of obtaining anything by treaty. Here is a youth just now apprehended and led to examination, who was discovered by a maid as he was going to set fire to our hospital; he had gunpowder, pitch, and matches, about him. It is said that he hath named some popish priests that sent him. From Zurich, November 29.-The pope hath displeased the court of France by encouraging the French clergy to affront and trouble the king. It is said also, that he is an enemy to the memory of Henry IV. and to all his kindred; he hath also disobliged France by giving Spain the preeminence in his motions for a peace between them, and in several other occasions expressing more respect to Spain than to France. The pope's courtiers cry out against France for making peace with England, and not breaking with Sweden; but 1655.] INTRIGUES OF THE PAPISTS. 307 others in Rome say, that if the Swedes had not spared the papists for France's sake, all Italy would not have been able to feed so many priests, friars, and nuns, as must have run thither out of Germany, &c. It is said for certain that the pope's nuncio at Lucern encourageth the popish cantons to continue in their stiffness, not yielding at all to any demand of the protestants, but to endeavour to spin out the treaty till spring: he assures them that the pope will not leave them, remembering their title-defenders of Saint Peter's chair. We know that the popish deputies sent an express from Baden with letters to Milan, and that he had conference with the governor, who, some say, advised them to yield to some accommodation for the present, which they might revoke the next spring, as soon as they had received assistance from their neighbours. We have also discovered that Cazati (the Spanish ambassador among the Grisons) hath close correspondence with Zallinguer and Tsweyer (leading men), of Lucern and Uri. The town of San-Gall maintains two companies of foot and one of horse for their own defence. The protestants of Appenzell make also great preparations because the abbot of San-Gall hath not removed all his barricades; his poor subjects were wont to be continually employed by the merchants of San-Gall; now they want employment, and are eaten up by their abbot's guards, so that they say they are undone by the war before it is begun. The lower sort of people in the popish cantons find a stop in their trade of silk and wool, and fear that they shall have neither bread nor salt if they fall out with Zurich, where they were always wont to buy both. When our deputies dissolved the assembly at Baden, the deputies of the other cantons prayed them to promise to meet again in fifteen days, which, at the last, they consented to; but when they further prayed them that our guards might be removed from the avenues and passages, and that our fortifications at Cappel and elsewhere might be discontinued, ours gave them a flat denial, and came home. Our council of two hundred met this morning; it is now two |