ies, and intreat his interest in
their behalf. This letter concludes as follows:

"We humbly petition your Excellence to be pleased to shew us what favour
God shall be pleased to direct you unto on our behalf, to the most
honourable Parliament, unto whom we have now presented a petition. The
copy of it, _verbatim_, we are bold to send herewith, that, if God so
please, we be not hindered in our comfortable proceedings in the work of
God here in this wilderness. Wherein, as for other favours, we shall be
bound to pray, that the Captain of the Host of Israel may be with you
and your whole army, in all your great enterprises, to the glory of God,
the subduing of his and your enemies, and your everlasting peace and
comfort in Jesus Christ." (_Ib._, Appendix ix., p. 522.)

In August (24th), 1654, the General Court addressed another letter to
Oliver Cromwell, commencing as follows:

"It hath been no small comfort to us poor exiles, in these utmost ends
of the earth (who sometimes felt and often feared the frowns of the
mighty), to have had the experience of the good hand of God, in raising
up such, whose endeavours have not been wanting to our welfare: amongst
whom we have good cause to give your Highness the first place: who by a
continued series of favours, have oblidged us, not only while you moved
in a lower orb, but since the Lord hath called your Highness to supreme
authority, whereat we rejoice and shall pray for the continuance of your
happy government, that under your shadow not only ourselves, but all the
Churches, may find rest and peace." (_Ib._, Appendix x., p. 523.)]

[Footnote 98: "1651.--The Parliament of England passed the famous Act of
Navigation. It had been observed with concern, that the English
merchants for several years past had usually freighted the Hollanders'
shipping for bringing home their own merchandise, because their freight
was at a lower rate than that of the English ships. For the same reason
the Dutch ships were made use of even for importing American products
from the English colonies into England. The English ships meanwhile lay
rotting in the harbours, and the English mariners, for want of
employment, went into the service of the Hollanders. The Commonwealth
now turned its attention towards the most effectual mode of retaining
the colonies in dependence on the parent State, and of securing to it
the benefits of their increasing commerce. With these views the
Parliament enacted, 'That n