of November, 1654, and had sent an Envoy to England with the letter.  It had expressed his earnest desire for friendship and alliance with the Protector, and for co-operation with him in the defence of the Reformed Religion.  Cromwell now acknowledges the letter and embassy, with high compliments to the Prince personally, of whose merits and labours there had been so much fame.  This leads him at once to the Piedmontese business.  Is not that an opportunity for the co-operation his Serenity had mentioned?  At any rate, it behoves all Protestant princes to be on the alert; for who knows how far the Duke of Savoy’s example may spread?

[Footnote 1:  Dated so in Skinner Transcript, Printed Collection, and Phillips—­with the addition “Westminster” in the first, and “Whitehall” in the two last:  no copy given in Morland’s book.]

(LXII.) TO THE CITY OF GENEVA, June 8, 1655:—­This letter announces the collection in progress in England for the relief of the Piedmontese Protestants.  It will take some time to complete the collection; but meanwhile the first instalment of L2000 [Cromwell’s personal contribution] is remitted for immediate use.  His Highness is quite sure that the City authorities of Geneva will cheerfully take charge of the money, and see it distributed among those most in need.  A postscript bids the Genevese expect L1500 of the sum through Gerard Hensch of Paris, and the remaining L500 through Mr. Stoupe, a well known travelling agent of Cromwell and Thurloe.

(LXIII.) TO THE KING OF FRANCE, July 29, 1655:—­The Protector here acknowledges an answer received to his previous letter of May 25. [The answer had been delivered to Morland early in June, when he was on his way through Paris, and transmitted by him to the Protector.  A translation of it is given in Morland’s book, pp. 566-567.] He is glad to be confirmed in his belief that the French officers who lent their troops to assist the Piedmontese soldiery in that bloody business did so without his Majesty’s order and against his will—­glad also to learn that these officers have been rebuked, and that his Majesty has, of his own accord, remonstrated with the Duke of Savoy, and advised him to stop his persecution of the Vaudois.  As no effect has yet been produced however, [Morland has by this time delivered his speech at Turin, and reported the dubious answer given by the Duke of Savoy:  ante pp. 42-43], the Protector is now despatching a special envoy [i.e.  Mr. George Downing] to Turin, to make farther remonstrances.  This envoy will pass through Paris, and his mission will have the greater chance of success if his Majesty will take the opportunity of again impressing his views upon the Duke.  By so doing, by punishing those French officers who employed his Majesty’s troops so disgracefully, and by sheltering such of the poor Vaudois as may have sought refuge in France, his Majesty will earn the respect of other Powers, and will strengthen the loyalty of his own Protestant subjects.

  (LXIV.) To CARDINAL MAZARIN, July 29, 1655:—­This is a
  special note, accompanying the foregoing letter, and introducing
  and recommending Mr. Downing to his Eminence.