MRP: 20th November 1654, Letter from Mr. Longland, agent at Leghorne, to secretary Thurloe

20th November 1654, Letter from Mr. Longland, agent at Leghorne, to secretary Thurloe

Source: Vol. xx. p. 115.

Editorial history

20/12/11, CSG: Created page & posted letter

---

Suggested links

Assorted letters of Charles Longland, Livorno (Various)

---

Letter

Honourable Sir,

'Tis advys'd from Rom, that the French fleet hav landed theyr soldiers at Tarento, which is short of the gulf of Venis; and assoon as they wer landed, the ships came about for Naples, wher they lye at a litle distance to aw it. If general Blak's fleet com into the seas with any desyn against the French, (as generally believed by al here) I myht hav bin servitiable unto them (if you had given me any such command) by meeting them with advys of the motion of the French, either at Alicant, or any other port, wher they may touch. And indeed if this be generall Blak's desyn, it had not bin amis to hav kept a watch upon the French fleet. 'Tis advysed from Genoa, that the ambassador that state sends for England to the protector, was departed by gally for Marseilles, and thence throh France. Sir Lewis Dives was last week at Genoa, and with him one capt. Whitford, a Scotsman, that committed the murder on doctor Dorislaw at the Hague. They hav theyr being with the French army in Piemont. Mr. Bartholomew Harris is to depart next week for Spain, and intends to waite your commands at Cales, whither you may pleas to send them to Mr. James Wilson for him. I hav paid him 40 l. for four months pay, being agreed with him, as I writ you last week, for ten pounds per month: the next four monthes pay you may pleas to order him in Spayne. What els I hav disburst for your servis, followes hereunder:

Four monthes pay to Mr. Harris, at 10 l. Pieces of eight 160
For Mr. Harris jorney to Tollon and back Pieces of eight 60
Disburst about you several Roman intelligence Pieces of eight 50
Pieces of eight 270
270 pieces of eiht is starling 67 l. 10 s. which I hav now drawn upon you in my bils payable unto Mr. Geo. Smith marchant, at two moneths after date, which you may pleas to accept and pay, when it growes due. Althoh the pope is recovered of his greate siknes, yet he is ever and anon drooping; and most men believ he wil not rub out this winter. The Spanyard has at lest fifty thousand men in several bodyes in the kingdom of Naples; so that most men believ, althoh the French be landed, they wil quickly be cut off: the event we shal suddenly know. An Inglishman, cald doctor Mathew Bacon in Rom, phisitian to cardinall Trivulcio, I am informed, wil be a very fit and able man for your servis there; and has good acces by meanes of that greate cardinal to the knowledge of most important affaires; wherwith I thoht it my duty to acquaint you. I am,

Leghorn, 20. Novemb. 1654. [N. S.]

Honorable Sir,
Your most humble and faithful servant,
Charles Longland.

Leghorn, 20. Novemb. 1654.

I under-written doe acknowledge myself to have receaved of Mr. Charles Longland, for the defrayment of an expedition at Tholon, whereon I was dispatched by the aforesaid Mr. Longland, for the interest and service of the state of England Pieces of Eight 060

I say receaved by mee
Sixty pieces of eight.
Barth. Harris.

In Leghorn, 20. Novemb. 1654.

I under-written doe acknowledge myselfe to have receaved of Mr. Charles Longland for fower moneths allowance (according to the computation of forty crownes a month) to goe and pursue certaine occasions for the service and interest of the state of England (according to the directions of secretary Thurloe) in Spaine Pieces of Eight 160
I say receaved by mee
A hundred and sixty pieces of eight.

Barth. Harris.