upon the Dutch. Let him think of the perils of Protestantism; let
him think of Piedmont, of Austria, of Switzerland! "Who is ignorant
that the counsels of the Spaniards and of the Roman Pontiff have,
for two years past, filled all those places with conflagrations,
slaughters, and troubles to the orthodox? If to these evils, so
many already, there shall be added an outbreak of bad feeling among
Protestant brethren themselves, and especially between two powers
in whose valour, resources, and constancy lies the greatest
safeguard of the Reformed Churches, so far as human means avail,
the Reformed Religion itself must be endangered and brought to an
extreme crisis. On the other hand, were all of the Protestant name
to cultivate perpetual peace with that brotherly unanimity which
becomes them, there will be no reason at all to be very much afraid
of inconvenience to us from all that the arts or force of our
enemies can do." O that his Majesty may see his way to a pacific
settlement of his differences with the Dutch! The Protector will
gladly do anything to secure that result.

(LXXXIX.) TO THE STATES OF HOLLAND, _Sept._ 1856:--William
Cooper, a London minister, has represented to the Protector that
his father-in-law, John le Maire of Amsterdam, invented, about
thirty-three years ago, a certain device by which much revenue was
brought in to the States of Holland, without any burden to the
people. It was the settling of a certain small seal or stamp to be
used in the Provinces ("_id autem erat parvi sigilli in
Provinciis constitutio_"). For the working this invention he had
taken into partnership one John van den Brook; and the States of
Holland had promised the partners 3000 guilders yearly, equal to
about L300 English, for the use of the thing. Not a farthing,
however, had they ever received, though the States had benefited so
much; and now, as they are both tired out, they have transferred
their right to William Cooper, who means to prosecute the claim.
The States are prayed to look into the matter, and to pay Cooper
the promised annual pension, with arrears.

(XC.) To LOUIS XIV. of FRANCE, _Sept._ 1656:--His Highness is
sorry to trouble his Majesty so often; but the grievances of
English subjects must be attended to. Now a London merchant, called
Robert Brown, who had bought 4000 hides, part of the cargo of a
Dieppe ship, legally taken before the