CHAP, ii.] WEST INDIES. 159 



" coast of Spain, should entitle either the Indians or 

 " English unto the dominion thereof. No Question 



O -i 



" but the just right or title to those countries, apper- 

 " tains to the natives themselves; who, if they should 

 " willingly and freely invite the English to their pro- 

 " tection, what title soever they have in them, no 

 " doubt they may legally transfer to others. But to 

 " end all disputes of this nature, since God hath given 

 " the earth to the sons of men to inhabit, and that 

 cc there are many vast countries in those parts not yet 

 " inhabited, either by Spaniard or Indian, why should 

 cc my countrymen, the English, be debarred from 

 <e making use of that, which God, from all begin- 

 " ning, did ordain for the benefit ot mankind?' 



These, or similar arguments, and a long list of 

 Spanish depredations on the subjects of England, 

 made without doubt a deep impression on the mind 

 of Cromwell. It appears indeed, that the court of 

 Spain, conscious of having merited the severest ven- 

 geance, foresaw an impending storm, and endeavour- 

 ed to avert it. We are told by Thurloe, that Carde- 

 nas the ambassador, in a private audience, congratu- 

 lated the protector on his elevation to the govern- 

 ment, " assuring him of the true and constant friend- 

 ship of his master, either in the condition he then 

 stood, or that if he would go a step farther, and take 

 upon him the crown, his master would venture the 

 crown of Spain to defend him in it." These general 

 discourses came afterwards to particular propositions ; 

 which Cromwell received with a coldness that alarm- 

 ed the ambassador; who then desired that former 



