from their forefathers, and not what they themselves, after imploring divine help, have learnt to be true by their own perception and knowledge,” the case of Romswinckel is represented as peculiarly interesting; and such phrases as “the Papal superstition” are not spared.  The passport was probably expected to come only into Protestant hands.

[Footnote 1:  This Letter is not given in the Printed Collection or in Phillips; it is in the Skinner Transcript, and has been printed by Mr. Hamilton in his Milton Papers (pp. 5-6).]

  (LXXIX.) To CHARLES X., KING OF SWEDEN, June 1656:[1]—­A
  special recommendation of the above Romswinckel to the Swedish
  King, in the same high Protestant tone.

[Footnote 1:  Not in Printed Collection or Phillips, but in Skinner Transcript, and printed by Hamilton (Milton Papers, 6-7).]

(LXXX.) TO THE KING OF PORTUGAL, July 1656:—­The Portuguese merchants of the Brazil Company owe certain English merchants a considerable sum of money on shipping accounts since 1649 and 1650.  The English merchants, understanding that, by recent orders of his Portuguese Majesty, they are likely to lose the principal of the debt, and be put off with the bare interest, have applied to the Protector.  He thinks it a hard case, and begs the King to let the debt be paid in full, principal and five years of interest.

(LXXXI.) To CHARLES X., KING OF SWEDEN, July 1656:—­After more than two months of farther debating between Count Bundt and the English Commissioners, in the course of which there had been frequent new displays of the Count’s high temper, the Treaty between the Protector and Charles Gustavus had at last been happily finished on the 17th of July.  On that day, Whitlocke tells as, he and Lords Fiennes and Strickland had their long final meeting over the Treaty with the Ambassador, ending; in formal signing and sealing on both sides.  The main difficulty had been got over thus:  “Concerning the carrying of pitch, tar, &c. to Spain, during our war with them [the Spaniards], there was a single Article, that the King of Sweden should be moved to give order for the prohibiting of it, and a kind of undertaking that it should be done.”  On the whole, the Protector was satisfied; and, as he had contracted some admiration and liking for the Ambassador, precisely on account of his unusual spirit and stubbornness, he marked the conclusion of the Treaty by special compliments and favours.  “The Swedish Ambassador,” says Whitlocke under date July 25, “having taken his leave of the Protector, received great civilities and respects from him, and afterwards dined with him at Hampton Court, and hunted with him.  The Protector bestowed the dignity of knighthood upon one of his [the Ambassador’s] gentlemen, Sir Gustavus Duval, the mareschal.”  The present Latin letter by Milton, accordingly, was the letter of honourable dismissal which the Swede