HOLLAND DOCUMENTS: VIII. 579 these' exceptions we have not received any news here from sea since my last despatch. The Theologians who were appointed to give their opinion on the proposals submitted by Manasseh Ben Israel regarding the Jews, and had not yet spoken at the previous conference, pronounced their opinion on Tuesday last, and, as I am informed, were, for the most part, in favor of the Jews being admitted as Merchants, but considered the public toleration of their Synagogue to be of grave consequence. I cannot learn that anything is as yet decided, as the Lord Protector, having heard the opinion of others, does not yet think proper to let his own be known. In a church of which Mr. John Simpson was formerly the Pastor, one Cornet Day did, a short time since, in the presence of a number of people who were assembled to hear the sermon, ascend the pulpit, and read to the Congregation a very abominable pasquinade against the Government, which he attacked with the bitterest expressions that can be thought of; the abovenamed Simpson afterwards climbed into the pulpit and read a text, and directed the whole of his sermon according to the contents of the pasquinade already read by the former he was thereupon arrested, but the other is not to be found ; he and Mr. Feach were formerly detained a long time prisoners in Windsor Castle ; he was liberated on his promising to remain quiet. The fleet was got in readiness here with the greatest dispatch, and many are of opinion that General Blake ^ might easily put to sea with the largest of the ships in a few weeks. Wherewith concluding, I shall at the end of the year wish from the bottom of my heart your High Mightinesses' laudable government, in the beginning of the New Year, all prosperity, and ever be and remain.