Add MS 4155

This is a miscellaneous collection of papers, including Elizabethan political and military matters; the parliamentary politics of the 1620s; and a number of early 17th-century diplomatic letters. There are probably some originals amongst the collection, but it is evidently mainly a collection of copies, generally made quite close to the time of the original, though a few copies may be much later.

This volume has been classified as Thurloe Papers, Volume 1 (Catalogue of Additions to the Manuscripts, 1756-1782, Additional Manuscripts 4101-5017 (1977), pp. 23-26, taking the manuscripts as originally belonging to John Thurloe, Oliver Cromwell’s Secretary of State. But for this volume, unlike some other volumes in the series, this seems an insecure identification. There is one document which almost certainly must have passed across Thurloe’s desk (an information about plotting in County Durham in 1655, ff. 185r-v). Beyond that are a few documents which might possibly link to Thurloe. It is plausible that the series of extracts taken from the parliamentary journals of the 1640s, many relating to relations between the English Parliament and the Dutch Republic, would have a particular relevance to a man who in 1651 was sent to the United Provinces as a negotiator; similarly some other diplomatic correspondence from the 1630s and 1640s might have come through Thurloe.

It is better to consider this volume as Volume I of the Birch Collection, as did Samuel Ayscough, who created the series of volumes out of the bundles of loose papers ‘in the greatest confusion … without any regard to subject or connection’ left the British Museum by Thomas Birch in his bequest of 1766, and who gave them their current call-numbers (Ayscough, vi).

There is evidence that some manuscripts in this volume had been united in the early- or mid-17th century (see ff. 71r-74v, 76r-93v, esp. f. 76, where the first two documents are recorded together in a hand of that period).

CONTENTS:

• f. 1: Title-page for the two letters that follow (Baron Wharton to William III; the Earl of Shaftesbury to the Earl of Essex).
• ff. 2r-10r: Thomas Wharton, fifth Baron Wharton to King William III, 25 Dec 1689. (Copy).
• ff. 10v-11r: Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury to Arthur Capel, 1st Earl of Essex, 30 Jan 1679. The copy itself is undated and the date comes from f. 1r. The copy describes is as 'concerning his leaving the Counsell'.
• ff. 13r-14v: John Carey, Viscount Rochford to William Cokayne, 16 Feb 1642. There is a slight element of doubt about the year, which may have been added later. The address refers to Cokayne as kinsman, and as a merchant living at Austin Friars, London.
• ff. 15r-16v: A particular of the gilt plate belonging to 'my Lady Sussanes', date uncertain. The best reading is 2 Oct 1614, but the third digit of the year could be '0' or '2' (f. 15r). On 16v is '1599'.
• ff. 17r-19v: Eulogy on Queen Elizabeth from the third book of the Memoirs of Michel de Castelnau, Sieur de la Mauvissiere (Paris, 1621). In French, with some English commentary. An early or mid 17th-century hand.
• f. 20v. Etymological notes: Latin, English and Greek. The hand is early 17th-centrury, and refers to the edition of Charles Stephen.
• ff. 21r-56v: 'An Ephemeris or Diary' of the proceedings of the English Commissioners sent into Flanders to treat with the Spanish Commissioners for Peace, Feb-July 1588. Copy in late 17th or 18th-century hand.
• ff. 57r-67r: A brief discourse or journal of the service, march and travel of Peregrine Bertie, 13th Baron Willoughby of Willoughby, Beck and Eresby, General of Queen Elizabeth's forces in France in aid of King Henri IV, 1589-90. Copy in late 17th- or 18-century hand.
• ff. 69r-72v: Advice to Queen Elizabeth I to support the Province of Holland against the King of Spain, 1587. In a late 16th-century hand.
• ff.73r-74v: A general bond made by the good subjects of King James VI for the preservation of his person, and the pursuit of his 'undoubted Right' to the Crown of England, made 1599. A contemporary copy, but in English rather than Scots.
• ff. 75r-v: 'Les paroles que le Roy a tenu aux dignes du Parlement', 7 Jan 1599. Speech of King Henri IV to the Parlement of Paris in favour of the Edict of Nantes. In French.
• ff. 76r-93v: 'A post caution or rather a post monition to the Common Speakers in the Lower House of Commons the two last Parliaments', a treatise by 'A.B.C.D.' ff. 85v-86r are addressed to Edward Sackville, 4th Earl of Dorset. The author purports to have compiled the treatise from loose papers found in the clothes of 'a Paraliticke poore man' who died passing through Worcestershire, the author's county. the text is ff. 77r-86r; the whole bound together within vellum covers (ff. 76, 93) made up from a legal instrument dated 1616 (ff. 76v. 93r). The title on the cover is 'Advice for Duke of Buck[ingha]m'. Jotted notes on f. 76r refer to the advice to Queen Elizabeth in 1587 and bond to James VI, 1599 (ff. 69r-72v and 73r-74v), which from the 17th-century hand shows that they and this document formed part of the same collection long before Thomas Birch. There is also on f. 76 a number written (No 155) and the name John Ayre (although the name also appears in the legal instrument). There is a further, unclear note; 'and delivered in the [illegible] of John Boollock[?] [Tho]mas Calbeck'.
• ff. 94r-97r: Relation of the trial of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex and Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, 19 Feb 1601. In early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 98r-v: Account of the execution of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex [on 25 Feb 1601]. In early 17th-century hand. Endorsed, 'A very Particular account of the execution of the Earl of Essex in the Tower'.
• ff. 100r-101v: Letter of Jahangir ('Gehangisr-Sha'), Mughal Emperor of India, to King James I of England. Letter delivered to the Ambassador, 20 Feb 1716[18] in reply to letter of King James's of 1616. Written at 'Amadanez' (Ahmedabad?). Gujerat. A copy in English translation, with a note on the aftermath of the letter.
• ff. 102r-106r: Opening of Parliament and the King's speech, January 1621, and a conference between the Lords and Commons, 30 Jan 1621. The conference is headed 'eodem die' (i.e. 30 Jan) which makes more sense than the date later added, 21 Nov 1621.
• ff. 107r-108v: Letters of John Burges [chaplain to the English volunteer force in the Palatinate] to Mr Dunne, 9 and 29 Jan 1621. (Mr. Dunne is very possibly John Donne).
• ff. 109r-110v: Speech of King James I at the opening of Parliament, 30 Jan 1621. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 111r-111*v: Declaration by the House of Commons upon adjournment of its zeal and affection unto the King and his children touching the Palatinate and support of religion, 4 Jun 1621. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• f. 112r: A Declaration of the House of Commons, 4 Jun 1621. Another copy of ff. 111r-111*v.
• ff. 113r-114v: The oration of the Lord Chancellor upon the presentation of the new Speaker, 5 Feb 1621. A late 17th- or 18th-century copy, and the year is written new style, 1621.
• ff. 115r-116v: Letter of Stanislaus Koniecpolski (Polish soldier) to Sir Thomas Roe, English Ambassador at Constantinople, 18 Mar 1622. In Latin.
• ff. 117r-118v: Letter of Wolmar Farensbach (soldier and diplomatist) to Sir Thomas Roe, 18 Mar 1622. From 'Des Tours de mer noire'.
• ff. 119r-122r: The speeches of Prince Charles and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham to Parliament, 24 Feb 1624. Early 17th-century copy.
• ff. 123r-125v: The answer of King James I to the Houses of Parliament, 6 Mar 1624, touching their advice. Early 17th-century copy.
• ff. 126r-127v: Letter of Gaspar de Guzman, Conde de Olivarez, to 'Don Francisco', on the affairs of the Palatinate Madrid, 31 Oct. 1623. In English. An early 17th-century hand. Imperfect: the top halves of ff. 127r-v have been lost.
• f. 128r: Speech of King James I, 25 Apr 1624. Recte 24 April: his answer to the petition of both Houses against recusants.
• ff. 129r-v: Protestation of the House of Commons at Oxford at its dissolution, 12 Aug 1625.
• ff. 130r-v: Letter of King Charles I to John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol, 20 Feb 1626. A copy in early 17th-century hand. Journal of the House of Lords, III, 544, 30 Mar 1626, has a copy of this latter, but dated to 20 Jan 1626.(https://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol3/pp543-544, accessed 23 Apr 2019).
• ff. 131r-132v: Letter of King Charles I to Sir Heneage Finch, Speaker of the House of Commons, 20 Mar 1626. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 133r-155v: Speech of the Lord Keeper (Sir Thomas Coventry) in the Parliament House to the assembled Lords and Commons, [29 Mar] 1626. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 137r-138v: Speech of Sir John Eliot to the House of Lords, being sent there with Sir Dudley Digges, [10 May] 1626. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 139r-140v: Articles of John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol against George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, 1 May 1626. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 141r-142v: The six queries of Dr Samuel Turner against George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham raised in Parliament, 11 Mar 1626. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 143r-144v: A copy of the several crimes objected against George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham in the Parliament House, 1626. Early 17th-century copy.
• ff. 145r-v: Speech of John Pym in Parliament against George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, 1626 ('his exceptions against the Duke'). Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 147r-148r, 149r-151v: Speeches of Sir Dudley Digges against George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, May and June 1626. Two copies of two speeches, in early 17th-century hands.
• ff.152r-156v: 'The last declaracion of the Howse of Commons not delyvered upon the dissolvinge of the said Parliament'; June 1626.
• ff. 159r-160v: The humble petition of John Digby, 1st Earl of Bristol to the House of Lords; the answer of the Lord Keeper, Sir Thomas Coventry, to the Bristol, Dorset Court, 13 Mar 1626; the Earl of Bristol's answers to the Lord Keeper, Sherborne, 12 Apr 1626; and a letter of King Charles I to the Earl of Bristol, 20 Feb 1626. Copies in a 17th-century hand.
• ff. 161r-v: Intelligence reports on Spanish naval preparations, n.d. [1620s?]. On the same paper, f. 162r (on a page where one can see some of the text on 161v in reverse, is a note: 'Memorandum that I James [Hay] Earle of Carlisle have red and had the twenteth'.
• ff. 163r-v: Letter of Thomas Borsos (Transylvanian diplomat) to Sir Thomas Roe, English ambassador at Constantinople, 25 Mar 1627. In Latin.
• f. 164r: Letter of Sir Edward Conway to his father Edward Conway, 1st Viscount Conway, St Martin, 20 Sep 1627.
• ff. 166r-167v: Copy of Privy Council order, 27 Jan 1628. Order in Council for protection of Muscovy merchants trading to Greenland. Copy in early 17th.-century hand.
• f. 168r: Letter of an agent of the Levant Company to (?) George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, Constantinople, 9/19 Dec 1625.
• ff. 169r-v: Speech of the Lord Keeper asking for the King's reply to the Petition of Right, with the King's replies before and after it was read; 7 June 1628. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 170r-171r: The proceedings of Parliament, 4 Apr 1628, being that day related to the King at the Council Board by the councillors who were MPs. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 172r-v: Propositions made by the House of Commons to King Charles I, 25 Apr 1628. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 174r-175v, 176r-177r; Speech of John Pym on religion ('Mr Pym a Parliamant man The hinderances of Religion to be enquired for Redresse'). Two copies in early 17th-century hands.
• ff. 178r-v: The heads of the Remonstrance presented to King Charles I at the Banqueting House, 17 Jun 1628, with the Censure of Roger Maynwaring, 13 Jun 1628. Copy in early 17th-century hand.
• ff. 179r-180v, 181r-182r, 183r-184r: Speech of Francis Rous Parliament, 26 Jan 1629. Three copies in early 17th-century hands.
• ff. 185r-v: The Information of Francis Heighington servant to Mr. Linley Wren, 9 Apr 1655. Attested as a true copy of the information by Thomas Lilburne. About conspiracy in County Durham. Also endorsed as the copy of an information 'against the Wrenns and against Doctor Cradock'.
• ff. 186r-187v: Letter of Count Axel Oxenstierna to Sir Thomas Roe, Elbing, 18 Nov 1631.
• ff. 188r-191v: 'An humble representment of the state of affairs betweene England and Poland', in 1636, 'with the reasons of Englands discontinuance of entercourse (by Publicke Ministers) with that Crowne and Kingdome', by John Fowler, Advocate of the Fleet.
• f. 192r-193v: Royal instructions for Sir Robert Jackson, Comptroller of the Musters in Berwick-upon-Tweed, 4 July 1639. Copy in 17th-century hand.
• f. 194r: Instructions to the Governor of Dunbarton Castle, n.d. Copy in 17th-century hand.

• f. 195r: The speech of King Charles I to the Lords and Commons in the Lords' Chamber upon the passing of the Triennial Act, 16 Feb 1641. Copy in 17th-century hand.
• ff. 196r-201r: The Scots Commissioners' preamble to the English Commissioners before their demands, 7 Jan. 1641. Copy in 17th-century hand.
• ff. 204r-v: Notes on sequestration and finance of English Parliamentarian and Scottish armies, summarizing the relevant ordinances, 13 May 1643-20 Feb 1645. Copy in 17th-century hand.
• ff. 206r-207v: Letter of Claudius de Mesmes, sieur d'Avaux, French Plenipotentiary, to Charles Lewis (Karl Ludwig), Prince Elector Palatine, Munster in Westphalia, 6 Apr 1644. Inviting him to the general treaties. English translation in 17th-century hand.
• ff. 208r-209v: 'Advis sur la lettre des Deputés de quelques Electeurs à l'Empereur du 4 d'Avril, 1644'.
• ff. 210r-v: Letter of Joan Adler Salvius, Legate (Swedish diplomat) to J. Averie [probably Joseph Averie, diplomat and agent for Charles I in Hamburg], Osnabruck, 18 Apr 1644. In Latin. Copy in 17th-century hand.
• f. 211r: Order of House of Lords appointing a committee of named Lords to meet with a proportionable number from the Commons to consider of foreign affairs, 19 July 1644. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted from the Journal of the House of Lords (see 'House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 19 July 1644', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 6, 1643 (London, 1767-1830), pp. 640-642. British History Onlinehttp://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol6/pp640-642 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• ff. 212r-213r: Request to the House of Commons for damages for captured merchant ships, delivered by the Dutch ambassador, Albert Joachimi, and signed by him, Willem Boreel, Heer van Duinbeke, and Johan van Reede, Heer van Renswoude, London, 10 Aug 1644. In French with marginal annotations in English.
• f. 214r: Order of House of Commons about complaint from French resident about the seizure of French shipping, 30 Aug 1644. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extraced from the Journal of the House of Commons (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 30 August 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644 (London, 1802), pp. 611-613. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp611-613 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• f. 215r-216v: Order of House of Commons about decisions to be made about restitution of seized Dutch shipping, 30 Aug 1644. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted from the Journal of the House of Commons (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 30 August 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644 (London, 1802), pp. 611-613. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp611-613 [accessed 29 April 2019]).With note in another hand of a like order, 4 Sep 1644.
• f. 217r: Order of House of Commons referring to the Committee for the Navy the memorial of the French resident, M. Sabran, touching free commerce, 16 Sep 1644. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted from the Journal of the House of Commons (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 16 September 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644 (London, 1802), pp. 628-629. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp628-629 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• f. 218r: Order of the Committee [of the Lords and Commons for Foreign Affairs?] for the restitution of the ship Thomas Bonaventure seized in Dutch waters, 18 Sep 1644.
• ff. 219r-220v: Order of House of Commons about the seized goods of the Tiger of Rotterdam, 16 Sep 1644. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted from the Journal of the House of Commons 'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 16 September 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644 (London, 1802), pp. 628-629. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp628-629 [accessed 29 April 2019].
• ff. 221r-222v: Order of House of Commons referring the papers of the French Resident to the Committee appointed to treat with the Dutch Ambassador, 21 Sep 1644 (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 21 September 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644 (London, 1802), pp. 634-636. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp634-636 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• ff. 223r-224v: Order of the House of Commons that the Committee of both Houses previously ordered to deal with the Dutch Ambassadors over shipping now draw up a reply to their offer of peace mediation, 23 Sep 1644. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted from the Journal of the House of Commons (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 23 September 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644 (London, 1802), pp. 636-637. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp636-637 [accessed 29 April 2019]). With notes in another hand on the meeting of the committee, 28 Sep 1644.
• ff. 225r-226v: Order of the House of Commons that the complaint of the Hamburg Council about the seizure of a ship be referred to the Committee of Lords and Commons to receive Dutch and other foreign complaints, 2 Nov 1644. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted from the Journal of the House of Commons (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 2 November 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644 (London, 1802), p. 685. British History Onlinehttp://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/p685 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• ff. 227r-228v: Order of the House of Commons forwarding papers received from the French resident to the committee of both Houses appointed to meet the Dutch Ambassador, 6 Nov 1644. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted from the Journal of the House of Commons (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 3: 6 November 1644', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 3, 1643-1644 (London, 1802), pp. 687-689. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol3/pp687-689 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• ff. 229r-230v: The answer of the committee to the Dutch Ambassadors concerning offer of peace mediation and shipping and trade issues, 17 Jan 1645. Noted as ‘veria copia’. A copy of this response appears in both the Journals of the House of Lords and Commons for that day (see 'House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 17 January 1645', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 7, 1644 (London, 1767-1830), pp. 142-143. British History Onlinehttp://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol7/pp142-143 [accessed 29 April 2019]; 'House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 17 January 1645', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 4, 1644-1646 (London, 1802), pp. 22-24 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• ff. 231r-232v: Order of the House of Commons: the answer to the States’ Ambassadors read and approved, and MPs named to form part of the Committee to deliver the answer, 17 Jan 1645. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted, but not a transcription, from the Journal of the House of Commons (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 17 January 1645', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 4, 1644-1646 (London, 1802), pp. 22-24. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol4/pp22-24 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• ff. 233r: Order by the Lords and Commons assembled that the committee of Lord and Commons for foreign affairs for treat with the Spanish Ambassador over Spanish shipping, 12 Apr 1645. In a 17th-century hand, and extracted from the Journal of the House of Lords (see 'House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 12 April 1645', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 7, 1644 (London, 1767-1830), pp. 315-317. British History Onlinehttp://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol7/pp315-317 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• ff. 234r-v: Order of the House of Commons for MPS who are members of the Committee of Foreign Affairs to meet with the Dutch ambassadors, 17 Apr 1645. Copy in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted, but not a precise transcription, from the Journal of the House of Commons (see 'House of Lords Journal Volume 7: 17 April 1645', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 7, 1644 (London, 1767-1830), pp. 323-324. British History Onlinehttp://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol7/pp323-324 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• f. 235r: Order of the Committee of Lords and Commons for the Advance of Money and other Necessaries for the Army to view letters recently taken in long Acre and to forward those relating to the Emperor’s Resident to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 6 Sep 1645. The copy is attested by Martin Dallison, secretary to the Committee.
• f. 236r, 237r: Orders of the Commons referring the matter of taken French ships to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 20 Sep 1645. Two copies in in 17th-century hand, evidently extracted from the Journal of the House of Commons (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 20 September 1645', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 4, 1644-1646 (London, 1802), pp. 279-281. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol4/pp279-281 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• f. 238r: Letter of G.G. (i.e. Giles Greene, MP) to René Augier (envoy for Parliament in Paris) on the business of the Committee of Foreign Affairs and disputes over merchant shipping, 20 Nov 1645.
• ff. 239r-240v: Order of the House of Commons referring correspondence received from Christian IV, King of Denmark, to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 20 Jan 1647 (see 'House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 20 January 1647', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 5, 1646-1648 (London, 1802), pp. 58-59. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol5/pp58-59 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• f.241r: Order of the House of Lords that the letter to M. Augier (René Augie4r, envoy for Parliament in Paris) be profferred to the Committee for Foreign Affairs to state the matter of fact and to consider whether it is not fit to acquaint the French Resident in London with its contents, 2 Apr 1647. A 17th-century copy, extracted from the Journal of the House of Lords. See 'House of Lords Journal Volume 9: 2 April 1647', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 9, 1646 (London, 1767-1830), pp. 119-121. British History Onlinehttp://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol9/pp119-121 [accessed 29 April 2019]). The letter, as an earlier order makes clear, is about a ship laden with cloth going to Ireland captured by a Jersey ship and carried into St Malo.
• f. 242r: Letter of G.G. (Giles Greene, MP) to René Augier (Parliament’s envoy in Paris), 29 Apr 1647. The letter is about continued depredations on English shipping and captured ships in French ports; also about the international situation.
• f.243r: Order of the Committee for Foreign Affairs ordering the Committee for the Navy to pay £5 out of prizes goods to Robert Tattnall for a year’s service as a usher of the Chamber for the Committee, 29 Apr 1647. The signatures, including the Earl of Warwick and John Selden, indicate that this is an original document.
• f. 244r: Order for the meeting of the House of Commons for the Committee for Foreign Affairs to meet tomorrow to receive letter from the French Resident bringing letter from the French King to Parliament, 25 Oct 1647. In 17th-century hand, extracted from the Journal of the House of Commons ('House of Commons Journal Volume 5: 25 October 1647', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 5, 1646-1648 (London, 1802), pp. 342-343. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol5/pp342-343 [accessed 25 April 2019].). With list of peers in another hand (presumably the Lords on the committee at the meeting, dated 26 October.
• f. 245r: 7 July 1648: Order of the House of Commons adding names to the Committee for London, 7 Jul 1648. In 17th-century hand. The order is signed by Henry Elsyng, Clerk of the House of Commons, but the order itself is absent from the published Journal of the House of Commons.
• f. 246r: Letter of accreditation from the English Parliament for Dr Walter Walker and Mr Peter Thelwall to represent them in Spain, Westminster, May 1645. A draft.
• f. 247r-248v: Ordinance for enabling the Committee of the Revenue to issue warrants for passing of such things as are granted by the Committee under the Great Seal. Endorsements note the process of the bill, and refers to 27 Aug 1646 (i.e. now f. 249r.); another refers to ‘a Jurnee to Starehaund Thursday 3 of September’.
• f. 249r: Order of the House of Commons concerning an ordinance for the commit of the revenue to issue warrants, 27 Aug 1646. In 17th-century hand: evidently extracted from the Journal of the House of Commons ('House of Commons Journal Volume 4: 27 August 1646', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 4, 1644-1646 (London, 1802), pp. 653-656. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol4/pp653-656 [accessed 25 April 2019].
• ff. 250r-251v: Letter of protest of Antonio de Sousa de Macedo, Portuguese Resident in England, against Parliament’s prohibition of commerce to royalist ports, London, 24 Sep 1644. Copy in 17th-century hand.
• ff. 252r-v: Memorials delivered to Monsieur d’Eymery, Contoller-General of French royal finances, delivered by Monsieur Augier (Parliament’s agent in Paris) concerning the affair of Monsieur de Cezi (formerly French Ambassador in the Levant), since the English Parliament’s liquidation of debts contracted on his behalf on 18 Aug 1645, delivered 1 Dec / 21 Nov 1645, 22/12 Feb 1646, 19/9 Apr 1646. Copies in 17th-century hand.
• ff. 253r-257v: Solemn League and Covenant, 1643. The copy is noted as extracted by John Browne, Clerk of the House of Lords. The text is drawn from the Journal of the House of Lords, 18 Sep 1643 (see 'House of Lords Journal Volume 6: 18 September 1643', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 6, 1643 (London, 1767-1830), pp. 219-222. British History Onlinehttp://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol6/pp219-222 [accessed 29 April 2019]).
• ff. 257-259*v, 260r-261v; Articles of agreement between Christian IV and the English Parliament, Frederiksborg Castle, 2 June 1646, with letter from Christian IV to the English Parliament, Frederiksborg, 3 June 1646. The former a copy in English translation, the latter in Latin.
• ff. 262r-263v: Excerpts out of a letter of Johann Joachim Rusdorf, agent of the Elector Palatine, Ratisbon. 1636. In Latin; English endorsement: ‘Collection out of a letter of mr Rustorff From Ratisbon 1636’.
• f. 264r: Memorandum of debts arising to Charles Lewis [Karl Ludwig] from his expulsion from the Palatinate, May 1647. In French.
• ff. 265r-v: Articles to be enquired of by the Visitors of the University of Oxford approved by the Committee of Lords and Commons, 24 Aug 1647, with the order of the Lords and Commons 26 Aug 1647.
• f. 266r-269v: 'A briefe Memoriall of what hathe been restored and is to be restored [sc. ships] still to the English Parliamenteers at Dunkirk, Mardick, Calais and Bologne in performance of his most Christian Majesties Ordinances' of 10 Jul 1643 and 20 May 1646 and his commission of 10 Jul 1647, 1647. A detailed list of ships and cargoes. Endorsed ‘Mr Augier’ (i.e. René Augier, agent for the English Parliament).
• ff. 270r: Memorial of the principal officers of the Navy, 26 Aug 1647.
• ff. 271r-272v: A copy of the French King’s instructions appointing Louis Janot consul of the French merchants in Holland, 31 may 1648. Signed by Louis XIV and the Queen Regent. A copy in English translation.
• ff. 273r-274r: Letter of John Cosin, to Thomas Morton, Bishop of Durham, St Germain, 8 Aug 1648.