(LXX.) To FREDERICK III., KING OF DENMARK, Feb. 1655-6(?)[1]:—­John Freeman, Philip Travis, and other London merchants, have represented to his Highness that a ship of theirs was seized and detained by the Danish authorities in March 1653 because the Captain tried to slip past Elsinore without paying the toll.  He was a Dutchman and had done this dishonestly on his own account, that he might pocket the money.  There had been negotiations on the subject with the Danish Ambassador when there had been one in London, and redress had been promised; but, though the merchants had since sent an agent to Copenhagen, the only effect had been to add expense to their loss.  By the Danish law it is the master of a ship that is punishable for the offence of evading toll, and the ship may be condemned, but not the goods.  The offender in this case is now dead, but left a confession; the sum evaded was small; the cargo detained was worth L3000; will his Majesty see that the goods are restored, with reparation?

[Footnote 1:  Quite undated in Printed Collection, Phillips, and Skinner Transcript, but conjecturally of about this date.]

(LXXI.) TO THE STATES GENERAL OF THE UNITED PROVINCES, April 1, 1656:—­A complaint in behalf of Thomas Bussel, Richard Beare, and other English merchants.  A ship of theirs, called The Edmund and John, on her voyage from Brazil to Lisbon, was seized long ago by a privateer of Flushing, commanded by a Lambert Bartelson.  The ship itself and the personal property of the sailors had been restored; but not the goods of the merchants.  The Judges in Holland had not done justice in their case; and now, after long litigation, an appeal is made to the chief authority.

(LXXII.) To Louis XIV.  OF FRANCE, April 9, 1656 (?):  This is the Credential Letter of LOCKHART, going on his embassy to the French King.  As Lockhart was by far the most eminent of the Protector’s envoys, it may be translated entire:  “WILLIAM LOCKHART, to whom We have given this letter to be carried to your Majesty, is a Scot by nation, of an honourable house, beloved by us, known for his very great fidelity, valour, and integrity of character.  He, that he may reside in France, and be with you, so as to be able assiduously to signify to you my singular respect for your Majesty, and my desire not only for the preservation of peace between us but also for the perpetuation of friendship, has received from us the amplest instructions.  We request, therefore, that you will receive him kindly, and give him gracious audience as often as there may be occasion, and place absolutely the same trust in whatsoever may be said and settled by him in our name as if the same things had been said and settled by Ourselves in person.  We shall hold them all as ratified.  Meanwhile we pray all peace and prosperity for your Majesty and your kingdom.”

(LXXIII.) To CARDINAL MAZARIN, April