ardinal Mazarine,
by whom all the counsels of France were directed, was artful and
vigilant, supple and patient, false and intriguing; desirous rather to
prevail by dexterity than violence, and placing his honor more in the
final success of his measures, than in the splendor and magnanimity
of the means which he employed. Cromwell, by his imperious character,
rather than by the advantage of his situation, acquired an ascendant
over this man; and every proposal made by the protector, however
unreasonable in itself, and urged with whatever insolence, met with a
ready compliance from the politic and timid cardinal. Bourdeaux was sent
over to England as minister; and all circumstances of respect were paid
to the daring usurper, who had imbrued his hands in the blood of his
sovereign, a prince so nearly related to the royal family of France.
With indefatigable patience did Bourdeaux conduct this negotiation,
which Cromwell seemed entirely to neglect; and though privateers with
English commission committed daily depredations on the French commerce,
Mazarine was content, in hopes of a fortunate issue, still to submit to
these indignities.[*]

* Thurloe, vol. iii. p. 103, 619, 653. In the treaty, which
was signed after long negotiation, the protector's name was
inserted before the French king's in that copy which
remained in England. Thurloe vol. vi. p. 116 See further,
vol. vii. p. 178.

The court of Spain, less connected with the unfortunate royal family,
and reduced to greater distress than the French monarchy, had been still
more forward in her advances to the prosperous parliament and protector.
Don Alonzo de Cardenas, the Spanish envoy, was the first public minister
who recognized the authority of the new republic; and in return for this
civility, Ascham was sent envoy into Spain by the parliament. No
sooner had this minister arrived in Madrid, than some of the banished
royalists, inflamed by that inveterate hatred which animated the English
factions, broke into his chamber, and murdered him together with
his secretary. Immediately they took sanctuary in the churches; and,
assisted by the general favor which every where attended the royal
cause, were enabled, most of them, to make their escape. Only one of the
criminals suffered death; and the parliament seemed to rest satisfied
with this atonement.

Spain, at this time, assailed every where by vigorous enemies from
without, and laboring under