| Title: | Copy Extract, ? To Hartlib |
|---|---|
| Dating: | 2 September 1654 |
| Ref: | 43/47A-B: 43B BLANK |
[43/47A]
[Hartlib:]
An Extract of a Letter to Mr Hartlib
Written from Dantzigk the 2. of Sept.
1654.
The Muscovites are stil master of the field [scribal hand:] in Litvania the Poles as yet haveing noe considerable strength to make opposition neither can I see any probabilitie of their being able to doe anything this yeare. Prince Radzivill[altered by H] had been out with about 8000 men; but [hearing?] that the Enemie[H capitalises] marched towards him, (as is reported) with 150/m men; he fired his leager and was forced not without loss to retreat, to near Vilna. It's certaine the Enemie[H capitalises] doeth still continue[altered by H] his leidge<H: siedge> before Smolensko; which if <H: hee> can take (as its much feared he will) then its probable he will come for Vilna: which is in a weake condition to make opposition: and he haveing got it; Lituania wilbe lost. I thinke the Poles are strucken with a spirit of Slumber, for not-with standing the Enemie[H capitalises] hath soe long since invaded their teritories: yet I cannot heare that to this day they have brought any forces together; whereby they may be inabled to make any opposition. [Hartlib:] They give no quarter to any Iesuit, Monkes or Friars nor to any Iew.