MRP: 14th August 1654, Letter from Mr. Longland, agent at Leghorne, to secretary Thurloe
14th August 1654, Letter from Mr. Longland, agent at Leghorne, to secretary Thurloe
Source: Vol. xvii. p. 92.[1]
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20/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted letter
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Assorted letters of Charles Longland, Livorno (Various)
Letter
Honourable Sir,
I should not hav sent you any more of the Roman intelligence, but that you might se the opinion and sense they have in Rom of the protector's disposition both to Spain and Genoa. Althoh this week we hav had fresh advys from Tollon, yet I can hav no good account from any of the French, what theyr fleet intends. Som are of opinion, they com not out at al, except their ambassadors mak peace with the protector; for they are very jealous of the Inglish fleet intended into thes seas. Others say, they only attend the coming of theyr general the duke of Guis, and cardinal Grimaldi a Genowes, whos desyn is thoht to be only to watch, on occasion of the breach 'twixt the Spaniard and Genowes, and to gain to themselves som advantage thereby. An Inglish ship, arryv'd at Naples from Ingland, met off at sea nere Cales the Spanish West-India fleet, being 28 gallions; the newes whereof chears up all that party in Itally, and contrarily the Genowes are somwhat dejected; for they believ, as they have reason, that the Spanyard wil value himself on the occasion; for at lest ¼ part of the plate belonges to them. I understand the Genowes ar sending an ambassador for Ingland; but as yet no acts of hostillity appeares betwixt them. Four Spanish gallyes arryved here this week from Genoa, not having 20 men apiece; for being man'd wholly with Genowes, the men wer commanded ashore. Thes petty affronts ar lyk picking a quarrell; they breed bad bloud, and prepare way for a wyder breach. They ar lyk our paper-conflicts in the beginning of the warrs, and the justling of the militia and army, the which soon grew into a flame. 'Tis very lyk, that Genoa is put on by the French; but such a remedy wil prov worse than the disease; witness Cattolonia, that is quyt ruin'd by the French. Sir, you wil very much obliege me now-and-then, when your greate affaires permit, to let me hav a word from you, how the protector stands in relation to Spain or France. 'Tis here reported, that a legue is made with the former. 'Tis supposed here the other provinces will fal out with Holland, which may produce som notable advantage to Ingland. The Spanyard in the kingdom of Naples raises quantety of hors, as if he meant to invade the pope. I am,
Honorable Sir,
Your most faithfull servant,
Charles Longland.
- ↑ Thomas Birch (ed.),'State Papers, 1654: August (1 of 5)', A collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, vol. 2: 1654 (London, 1742), pp. 509-518. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=55336 Date accessed: 20 December 2011
