shall hear more of Milton in connexion with it.[2]

[Footnote 1: So dated in Printed Collection, Phillips, and Skinner
Transcript.]

[Footnote 2: Whitlocke, IV. 208-227; i.e. from July 1655 to Feb. 20,
1655-6.]

(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