In 1655, he was at the head of the Postal department; in 1656 was returned to Parliament from Ely; in 1657, was appointed a privy councillor, and after the Protector's death continued Secretary of State under Richard Cromwell, until January, 1660. In April following, he offered his services to Charles IL, and was sent to prison by the House of Commons in May, on a charge of high treason, but was soon after set at liberty, when he retired to Great Milton, Oxfordshire. He was offered several posts in the administration, after the Restoration, but declined them all, and died suddenly at Lincoln's Inn, on 21 February, 1668. Biographic UniverselU. His State Papers, published by Dr Birch in 1742, 7 vols., fol, form a vast repository of most important documents relating to the History of England during the Protectorate, and contain some interesting papers on the projected invasion of New Netherland. -- Ed.

558 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. answer, yet to this hour have not been so fortunate as to meet with any dispatch, the Lords of the Council being, either through the uncertainty of their position, whereof they will first see a final result, or in consequence of their continual occupation in Parliament, of which almost all of them are members, so embarrassed, that they have met only twice, and then but for a short time since the meeting of Parliament, as we believe we can with certainty state. Meanwhile, having received your High Mightinesses' subsequent resolution of the 19 September, respecting visiting the ships, we accordingly somewhat modified our drafted articles, and shall also endeavor to fulfill your High Mightinesses' intentions expressly on this head, as much as possible; we shall likewise, when occasion presents, make use of the letters sent to us, and regulate ourselves according to your High Mightinesses' resolution of the 24"^ September, respecting the remaining matters and complaints which, pursuant to the 30"' article of the Peace, might be referred to the Swiss Cantons.