[Footnote 1:  The infidelity of these reports is acknowledged by Morland, the protector’s agent, in a confidential letter to secretary Thurloe.  “The greatest difficulty I meet with is in relation to the matter of fact in the beginning of these troubles, and during the time of the war.  For I find, upon diligent search, that many papers and books which have been put out in print on this subject, even by some ministers of the valleys, are lame in many particulars, and in many things not conformable to truth.”—­Thurloe, iv. 417.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1656.  May.]

the lowest, hastened to contribute their money towards the support of the Piedmontese Protestants.  It was observed that, among those who laboured to inflame the prejudices of the people, none were more active than the two ambassadors from Spain, and Stouppe, the minister of the French church in London.[1] Both had long laboured to prevent the conclusion of the treaty with France; and they now hoped to effect their purpose, because Savoy was the ally of France, and the principal barbarities were said to have been perpetrated by troops detached from the French army.[2]

These events opened a flattering prospect to the vanity of Cromwell.  By his usurpation he had forfeited all claim to the title of the champion of civil liberty; he might still come forward, in the sight of Europe, in the more august character of the protector of the reformed faith.  His first care was to make, through Stouppe, a promise to the Vaudois of his support, and an offer to transplant them to Ireland, and to settle them on the lands of the Irish Catholics; of which the first was accepted with expressions of gratitude, and the other respectfully declined.[3] He next solicited the king of France to join with him in mediating between the duke of Savoy and his subjects of the valleys; and received for answer, that

[Footnote 1:  Thurloe, iii. 470, 680.  Siri, xv. 468.]

[Footnote 2:  Under Pianeze were some troops detached from the French army commanded by Prince Thomas of Savoy.  It was reported that a regiment of Irish Catholics formed a part of this detachment; and to them were attributed, of course, the most horrible barbarities.—­Leger, iii.  Stouppe, Preface.  Thurloe, iii. 412, 459, 460.  On inquiry, it was discovered that these supposed Irishmen were English.  “The Irish regiment said to be there was the earl of Bristol’s regiment, a small and weak one, most of them being English.  I hear not such complaints of them as you set forth.”—­Thurloe, iii. 50.]

[Footnote 3:  Thurloe, iii. 459.]

Louis had already interposed his good offices, and had reason to expect a favourable result.  Lastly, he sent[a] Morland as ambassador to Turin, where he was honourably received, and entertained at the duke’s expense.  To his memorial in favour of the Vaudois, it was replied,[b] that out of compliment to Cromwell their rebellion, though unprovoked, should be forgiven; but his further interference was checked by the announcement that the particulars of the pacification had been wholly referred to Servien, the French ambassador.[1]