New England, to try what people may be drawn thence.1 We have done the like to the Windward English Islands; and both in England and Scotland and Ireland, you will have what men and women we can well transport.

We think, and it is much designed amongst us, to strive with the Spaniard for the mastery of all those seas: and therefore we could heartily wish that the Island of Providence were in our hands again; believing that it lies so advantageously in reference to the Main, and especially for the hindrance of the Peru trade and Carthagena, that you would not only have great advantage thereby of intelligence and surprisal, but might' even block up Carthagena. It is discoursed here that, if the Spaniard do attempt upon you, it is most likely it will be upon the East end of the Island, towards Cuba; as also that' Cuba, in its chief Town, is a place3 easily attempted, and hath in it a very rich copper-mine. It would be good, for the first, as you have opportunity, to inform yourself; and if there be need, to make a good work upon the East end of your Island, to prevent them. And for the other, and all things of that kind, we must leave them to your judgment upon the place, to do therein as you shall see cause.

To conclude: As we have cause to be humbled for the reproof God gave us at St. Domingo, upon the account of our own sins as well as others', so, truly,

Long Correspondences about it, and details, from assiduous Mr. Gookin, chief of those Commissioners, in Thurloe, iv.

3Cuba upon Cuba is a place,' as the original has it. The first 'Cuba' here must, of course, mean Cuba Town, now Havanna.

upon the reports brought hither to us of the extreme avarice, pride and confidence, disorders and debauchedness, profaneness and wickedness, commonly practised amongst the Army, we can not only bewail the same, but desire that all with you may do so; and that a very special regard may be had so to govern, for time to come, as that all manner of vice may be thoroughly discountenanced, and severely punished; and that such a frame of government may be exercised that virtue and godliness may receive due encouragement.

• I rest,

'Your loving friend,

'OLIVER P.'*

The brave Fortescue never received this Letter; he already lay in his grave when it was written; had died in October last,1 a speedy victim of the bad climate and desperate situation. Brave Sedgwick, his Partner and Successor, soon died also:2 a very brave, zealous and pious man, whose Letters in Thurloe are of all others the best worth reading on this subject. Other brave men followed, and soon died; spending heroically their remnant of life-fire there, as heroes do, 'making paths through the impassable.' But we must leave the heroisms of Oliver Protector and his Puritans, in this Jamaica Business, to the reader's fancy henceforth,―till perhaps some Jamaica Poet rise to resuscitate and extricate them. Reinforcement went on the back of reinforcement, during this Protector's lifetime: a Thousand Irish Girls' went; not to speak of the rogue-and-vagabond species from Scotland,we can help you' at any time to two or three hundred of 1 Thurloe, iv. 153.

* Thurloe, iv. 633.

2 24 June, 1656 (Long's History of Jamaica, i. 257).

these." And so at length a West-India Interest did take root; and bears spices and poisons, and other produce, to this day.

1 Long, i. 244; Thurloe, iv. 692, 5:-new Admonitions and Instructions from the Protector, of Thurloe's writing, 17 June, 1656 (Thurloe, v. 129-131); &c.

LETTERS CCVII.-CCXIV.

TAKE the following Letters in mass; and make some dim History of Eleven Months from them, as best may be.

LETTER CCVII.

HENRY CROMWELL has no Major-Generals in Ireland, but has his anarchies there also to deal with. Let him listen to this good advice on the subject.

For my Son, Henry Cromwell, at Dublin, Ireland.

SON,

'Whitehall,' 21st November, 1655.

I have seen your Letter writ unto Mr. Secretary Thurloe; and do find thereby that you are very apprehensive of the carriage of some persons with you, towards yourself and the public affairs.

I do believe there may be some particular persons who are not very well pleased with the present condition of things, and may be apt to shew their discontent as they have opportunity: but this should not make too great impressions in you. Time and patience may work them to a better frame of spirit, and bring them to see that which, for the present, seems to be hid from them;

especially if they shall see your moderation and love towards them, if they are found in other ways towards you. Which I earnestly desire you to study and endeavour, all that lies in you. Whereof both you and I too shall have the comfort, whatsoever the issue and event thereof be.

For what you write of more help, I have long endeavoured it; and shall not be wanting to send you some farther addition to the Council, so soon as men can be found out who are fit for the trust. I am also thinking of sending over to you a fit person who may command the North of Ireland; which I believe stands in great need of one; and 'I' am of your opinion that Trevor and Colonel Mervin are very dangerous persons, and may be made the heads of a new rebellion. And therefore I would have you move the Council that they be secured in some very safe place, and the farther out of their own countries the better.

I commend you to the Lord; and rest,

Your affectionate father,

OLIVER P.*

The Letter writ unto Mr. Secretary Thurloe' which is responded to in this wise and magnanimous manner, does not appear in Thurloe or elsewhere. November 14, the day before the date of this, Henry writing to Thurloe excuses his present brevity, his last Letter having been so very copious: that copious Letter, now lost, is probably the one in question here.

• November 22d,' the day after this Letter, 'came several

*Thurloe, i. 726,