160 HISTORY OF THE [BOOK. n. 



treaties of alliance between the two kingdoms might 

 be renewed, as the first step towards a nearer union, 

 It does riot appear that Cromwell had any objection 

 to this proposition. That he sought to involve the 

 nation in an unprovoked and unnecessary war with 

 Spain, or, as Ludlow expresses it, that " he meant 

 to engrave those men in distant services, who other- 



O O ' 



wise were ready to join in any party against him at 

 home," though it has been confidently asserted, has 

 been asserted against clear and substantial evidence. 

 He demanded, it is true, satisfaction for past, and se- 

 curity against future injuries; and he appointed com- 

 missioners to treat with the Spanish ambassador there- 

 upon; with whom several conferences were held, 

 chiefly, says Thurloe, on the right interpretation of 

 the treaty of 1630. The result of those conferences, 

 which I shall give in Thurloe 's own words, affords so 

 full and clear a justification of the protector's subse- 

 quent proceedings, that no excuse can be offered for 

 those historians by w r hom this evidence has been wil- 

 fully suppressed. 



The chief difficulties (observes Thurloe) were the 

 following, " 1st, touching the West Indies, the de- 

 bate whereof was occasioned upon the first article 

 of the aforesaid treaty of 1630, whereby it is agreed, 

 that there should be peace, amity, and friendship, 

 between the two kings and their respective sub- 

 jects in all parts of the world, as well in Europe as 

 elsewhere. Upon this it was shewn, that in con- 

 travention of this article, the English were treated 

 by the Spaniards as enemies, wherever they were 



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