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1656.]

THE PEACE WITH FRANCE.

343

Wagner lies in their way. Geneva saith, those five regiments do not make above fifteen hundred men.

From Paris they write, that their king is sending the Duke of Rochefocault into Switzerland as ambassador-extraordinary, to offer his interposition, and to threaten that he will with considerable forces oppose that part which shall refuse to stand to his award. They write also, that the pope hath written to the clergy of France, blaming them for many things, and especially for not hindering the peace with England; which peace he would have speedily broken, because he accounts it an intolerabe hinderance to his design for a peace between France and Spain.

In the end of my last letter, I wrote that my wife had received no money at court since August last. But, yesterday, I received a letter from her, acknowledging that she had newly received half her expectation; I hope ere long she may receive the remainder by Mr. Secretary's recommendation; whereby his honour may lay a further obligation upon your humble servant.

SECRETARY THURLOE TO MR. PELL AND
MR. MORLAND.

Whitehall, 31st January, 1655.

GENTLEMEN,-This is only to let you know of the receipt of yours of the 16th instant, with the

papers which you mention to have enclosed therein, which doth administer no occasion of adding any thing to the letter I wrote to Mr. Pell of the 24th instant, which went by the last post, a copy whereof is here enclosed.

We have this day received letters from Jamaica, which brings us the certainty of the safe arrival of Major Sedgewicke there with his squadron, and fresh supplies of men, but he had not been there long enough to make any great attempt. Vice-Admiral Goodson had been at sea with eight ships, and landed four or five hundred men upon a town of the Spaniards, on the Maine, called St. Martha, which had two strong forts, and a breastwork between them; after an hour's dispute, they mastered both forts and town, which consisted of about two hundred houses. After that, they marched into the country about ten miles and fired many houses, and at their return to the town, demolished the forts and burned the town, and so brought away the spoil and thirty pieces of cannon. The spoil was divided, one-half to the soldiery and the other half to the state. They are preparing for further action. This is all I have to communicate to you at this time, and rest,

Your very affectionate friend to serve you,

JO. THURLOE.

1656.] THE QUARREL BETWEEN THE CANTONS. 345

MR. PELL AND MR. MORLAND TO SECRETARY THURLOE.

Geneva, 3-13 Feb., 1655-6. RIGHT HONOURABLE, - Yesterday, we visited M. H. Van Ommeren, who had received from the protestant cantons such another letter as this enclosed. We found that his sense of the contents differed little from ours. He said, he had a while ago received commands from the Hague to do his utmost to forward all thoughts of peace among the cantons, and therefore without new letters he might return into Switzerland, and be present at their general assembly, which he said would be shortly called, because the French ambassador urged it. We told him, that we daily expected letters out of England with sufficient instructions; and till then, we knew not what to do or say further in this great business. But we conceived he might do to make all possible haste to Berne or Zurich. He replied, that he would gladly have the company of at least one of us, in expectation whereof he had resolved to stay a while longer at Geneva, at least till he had received from Zurich an answer to that letter which he intended to write forthwith, telling them, that if they thought his presence might be useful to them, he would come to them without delay, and that they might dispose of him and all that was in his power as themselves should think fit. He said, he knew the Savoy ambassador who is now in

Switzerland, he had seen him at Munster; that he is a man of a very pleasing and winning carriage, but very subtle and cunning. But the French ambassador he had not seen, and could hardly believe that his king had sent him instructions to threaten the protestant cantons, who had been so lately included in the French-English treaty. We answered, that we had not yet received any assurance from England that the cantons were included. He said, he made no doubt of it, because of some passages in one of M. H. Newport's letters, that seemed to affirm it. But it concerns the Switzers to be very sure of it, before they make it a ground of some of their resolutions concerning war or peace. For though they were never so much set upon war, yet they may be frightened into thoughts of peace, if France will intermeddle, and be not taken off by England and the Low Countries.

And if they must hearken to a treaty of peace, it may be very disadvantageous to them, if the popish cantons have the counsel of the pope's nuncio at Lucerne, and of the Spanish ambassador at Chur, in Rhætia, besides the presence of the French and Savoy ambassadors to countenance that part ; whilst the protestant cantons have nobody to advise them or appear for them. And therefore, in their adjoined letter to us, they earnestly pray us to let them know what we can do for them in that way, to which we must to-morrow send some kind of

1656.]

A TRUCE.

347

answer, which might be more full if we had received new instructions; and therefore we should be glad to see the return of our express whom we daily expect, and remain, right honourable, your honour's most humble and faithful servants,

JOHN PELL.

S. M.

MR. PELL TO SECRETARY THURLOE.

Feb. 6.

SIR,-Three days ago, we hastily sent away letters subscribed by us both, which we hope are come safely to you. Yesterday, I received letters from Mr. Secretary, dated Jan. 24th, which are so long that they require a longer answer than I have now time to write. Presently upon the receipt of them, I wrote to Zurich, signifying that I had order to return into Switzerland, and hoped to be there within a fortnight, &c.

I hear that the French ambassador hath drawn them to a truce of six days, which expires tomorrow. Some think he will be able to get the truce renewed for longer time. The Genevenses say, the protestant cantons will be forced to hearken to peace, because they have not money to continue the war. It is thought the popish princes have somewhat else to do with their money than to give it to the popish cantons, for surely nobody will lend

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