For such orders must proceed from his Majesty, who might take it ill that the Houses of Parliament were applied to for a remedy, whose orders probably would not be acknowledged in that far distant quarter. In considering the aforesaid point, it is ( with submission), to be borne in mind, that the winter will be soon at hand, and that opportunities to go, or to send letters to those parts, do not occur every day. The Portuguese agent, who remained here after the Ambassador's departure, spoke to me on Saturday last,to request Vice Admiral Tromp to assist two Commissioners of the King his

master, who had arrived at Dover, in reaching the United Provinces in safety. They were sent, he said, to your High Mightinesses on business of importance, and which required despatch. I granted him his request; but I know not whether Mr. Tromp can accommodate

' See Aitzema. Folio. II., 816, for the terras or basis of the Rescript. -- Ed.

132 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. him. The Earl of Leicester' left here last week for his government, in Ireland. Herewith ending, I commend myself respectfully to your High Mightinesses, and pray God, High and Mighty Lords, that He may bless your High Mightinesses' Government more and more. Your High Mightinesses' London, the eighth of August, 1642. most obedient servant. Received IG"" of August, 1642. (Signed) Alb. Joachimi.

P. S. The letter was entirely written when 1 received the printed replies to the King's answer brought over lately by the Earl of Holland.^ A copy of said replies is hereunto annexed.