| Title: | Letter, Henry Oldenburg To Hartlib |
|---|---|
| Dating: | 12 June 1658 |
| Ref: | 39/3/9A-10B |
[39/3/9A]
Good Sir,
The post of this day brought me yours of the 4. of Iune, with several inclosed from MyLady Ranalaugh. The reason, you have receaued none for a week or two from us, is our being hauing been upon the journy towards this towne, from whence we haue written to you once before. All things here doe now tend to a speedy Election; the Electors together with the King of Hungary hauing this day receaued the oath of fidelity and protection from the magistrat, citizens and soldiery of this towne, during the Election; and the King of Hungary being said to be sure of the plurality of voices, since Brandenburg hath declared for him; for, <the> Electors of Bavaria, Saxonie and Trier haue been euer his without dispute, and himself, as King of Bohemia, will not faile, sure, of adding his owne vote to that of the others for himself. But though he get the Imperiall crowne on his head, the question is, how he will keep it on; the Extraordinary Ambassadour of the King of Sueden that is exspected here every day, being said <H: to come to assert the Palatin vicariat and> to haue order of telling boldly the Electors, that his master, in case they Elect the King of Hungaria before satisfaction giuen him, declareth them for his Ennemies. And if so, what else can we look for, but a fresh war in Germany? The French Ambassadours[H alters from Emabssadours], its true, doe here openly professe to haue receaued satisfaction from the House[H capitalises] of Austria in Germany; though the Suedes
[39/3/9B]
haue not: which some look upon yealously, as if the French had a mind to prepare the way for a peace with Spaine; but others think to be nothing but a piece of policy, seing they know very well, the Suedes will neuer obtaine satisfaction; whence things breaking out into war again from that side, they, (the French) will be obliged, as their Allyes, to joyne with you in it. On Tuesday last, [3 words deleted] the French Ambassadour made a very splendid feast <whereof we were spectators:> unto which were invited all the G. Electors, that are here in person, and the delegats of those two, that are absent: but none of those, that are here in person, came, but Maintz and Heidelberg and the deputies of the Electors of Colonia and Brandebourg, the others of the feast being the marquis of Baden; the Landgraf of Homburg, the Count of Hanow, <th>e Palatin General Balthasar and some others, that are French in affection. Among the healths, that were drunk (and you'l guesse there was no want of that) when Monsieur Granmond drunk the health of the Electors, he said, A la santé de Messieurs les Electeurs, et, qui ne les aiment pas, [deletion] Dasz ihnen der Teuffol den halsz gebreche<H: let the Devil break their necks>: with the same words, in good french and broken <H: high> dutch. By the next I may possibly name you the day of the Election, which now is but guessed shall be the 21. current, and the Coronation a month after./
I am persuaded, you will communicate also, what passeth in your [deletion] parts: among it, I [pray? MS torn] doe me the favor of acquain-
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ting [me what MS torn] sir H. Vane doth, whether [he MS torn] sits still, or doth service for his Country; which I know him to be able in, if there were but a good vnderstanding betwixt MyLord Protector and him. God Allmighty order all things for the amplification of his glorious name, and the confort of his chosen people. In him I remaine
Sir
Frankford the your cordiall friend
12 Iune 1658. and servant.
Mr Iones remembers his H. O.
very affectionat services to you.
Concerning the E. of Hohenloe, I beseech you to haue patience about the information of his paiment till the next: because in our first encounter with him it was not so convenient to speake to him as of such a matter. As for his religion, he assured me, though he had been necessitated to marry a papist (for to contermine his elder brother, that hath had married the elder sister of that same family (vid. the Hatsfelds) for to oppresse him;) yet he remained ferme in the protestant religion, and in the interest of the Commonwealth of England, being still free and unengaged as to matter of seruice, and assuring the Mylord protector of his devotion towards him, and readines to be employ himself for him, whensoeuer he shall command [him MS torn]
[39/3/10B]
3 A Monsieur
Monsieur Samuel Hartlib
Neer Charing=
crosse
A [another hand: 2 fffff]
Londres.
[post marks] Franc pour
Anvers.
[seal]