Venice: July 1632 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 22, 1629-1632. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1919.

'Venice: July 1632 ', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 22, 1629-1632, (London, 1919) pp. 631-641. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol22/pp631-641 [accessed 23 April 2024]

July 1632



July 1. Senato, Secreta. Deliberazioni, Corti. Venetian Archives.	834. To the Ambassador in England.
	President Picinardo has been sent here instead of the Grand Chancellor of Milan. Reports are also circulated of our troops being disbanded and going to serve the emperor. This news may reach your Court, and in particular the minister of Sweden there. We therefore wish you to seize an opportunity to explain that these are inventions of those interested in the other side, in order to reap the fruit of mistrust and dissatisfaction among friends, because the carrying of arms of the emperor has been forbidden, and a quantity that was being taken secretly has been seized.
	Ayes, 91.	Noes, 0.	Neutral, 1.
	[Italian.]
July 1. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives.	835. ALVISE CONTARINI, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The Prince of Orange has drawn nearer to Maastricht, being anxious to hasten its capture. They are now waiting for sappers and miners from Liège. Private letters report that the English and Scots have taken by assault a demi lune opposite the Brussels gate; 300 men are said to have fallen on both sides. The French and the English too have offered to take the town by storm if the prince would allow them to sack it, but he would not consent. These particulars, though credited by many, are not yet confirmed by letters of the Deputies or the prince.
	The Hague, the 1st July, 1632.
	[Italian.]
July 1. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives.	836. ALVISE CONTARINI, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The Princess Palatine tells me that Ven's son has reached the King of Sweden, and they are now negotiating to settle everything on behalf of England, though here they will look for the results more than for the conclusion itself.
	The Hague, the 1st July, 1632.
	[Italian.]
July 2. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	837. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	M. di Fontane, the French ambassador, made a special visit to this house, and with that confidence which I always try to encourage, he began to tell me that he had received letters from Court, which had been delayed more than usual, although sent express. He said he wished to give me a full account of their very serious and important contents, as the minister of the republic, before anyone else, and he would afterwards carry out the royal instructions with the others. Here he entered upon a somewhat lengthy narrative, relating the bad behaviour of the Duke of Lorraine during the recent affair with Monsieur, in spite of his promises and agreements with the Most Christian. He said that all the support to the vagaries of Monsieur was due in the first instance to encouragement of Lorraine, apart from some other foreign assistance. The king felt himself obliged to make the duke feel the weight of his arms now, for the safety of his own kingdom also. At this point he dilated on the extremely evil intentions of the duke against France. He added that the king's brother had already entered the kingdom arms in hand, scouring the neighbourhood of Dijon and Burgundy, with the intention of going further, in order to upset the quiet of the realm. But his Majesty was ready to meet everything vigorously, and there was no shadow of doubt about the result. In the course of his remarks, he drew from his pocket a letter which he showed me, signed by the king himself, which dealt with substantially the same matters as he had spoken of, with the same ideas. I think he intended to use it as a manifesto against Lorraine and a justification of the war against him. I made a suitable response to the favour of this office. Before the end of the interview the ambassador referred to the accommodation between your Excellencies and Rome. As I had the instructions of the 29th May and the 4th ult., I thought it apropos to make use of them with him. So I did with the Earl of Carlisle, who had previously shown some curiosity in the matter, and sent recently, I do not know whether at the king's instance or of his own accord, to obtain some information from me through a dependant of his house. With the French ambassador also I did not fail to exalt duly the interposition of his Most Christian Majesty.
	London, the 2nd July, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
July 2. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	838. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The first report of the recovery of Prague and of the retirement of the Duke of Saxony, issued from the house of the Spanish resident here. He represents the facts very falsely, as he not only asserts that all Bohemia has fallen again into the hands of the Austrians, but that the troops of Volestain have pursued the Saxon right up to Dresden. They are expecting to receive more definite information by the next courier. Apparently more distasteful to the Court is what he omits, possibly with calculated silence about an understanding, if there be any, with Saxony; as from what the Spanish resident says about his flight, no doubt putting the best face upon things for his own side, the ministers here suspect that the elector in question, if not already won over, will at least prove accessible in the future, and may decide on a composition and understanding with Austria. A faint rumour is circulating also of a check recently suffered by the French in a defeat experienced when contesting the passage of the Spanish forces returning from Germany, although not without considerable loss to the troops under Don Gonzales di Cordova. The opportune succour he brought by his arrival in Flanders, according to the information the lords here say they received from their agent at that Court, altered the decision of the Infanta to move from Brussels to Cambrai, but not to Ghent, as was understood. Yet the disorders among the Spanish commanders go on, and fresh quarrels have broken out between the Generals Santa Croce and Count John of Nassau. Reports of the disaffection of a third, Count Henry di Bergh, also accumulate. He is reported to be on the neutral frontier of Liege.
	Maastricht, the bulwark and most important frontier fortress of the provinces of Brabant and Guelders, still holds out. The greater the confidence which the Spaniards like to make a show of here, the more interest is shown by the generality in the issue. They keep their eyes fixed upon it as a matter which, not only in the opinion of the government here, but of both Dutch ministers, may to a great extent change the aspect of affairs, to the essential advantage or disadvantage of one of the two parties.
	Fontane has informed some of the lords here of the relief with which the French garrison commanded by M. della Saludie was received at Harmestein, a most important place on the Rhine opposite Confluenza.
	There is much comment at Court, and the king also is interested, about the resentment displayed by Monsieur, who has betaken himself to the neighbourhood of Dijon. They are watching attentively to see in what direction he will pursue his plans, and what assistance and force he will have.
	Very recent letters have come from Brussels, sent by the Abbot Scaglia to some correspondents of his at this Court, in which he shows the strenuous efforts of the Spaniards and their very confident hopes about relieving and saving Maastricht.
	Some hitch has occurred to delay the investiture of the Lord Treasurer with the title of Earl of Chinsfort, which was announced as all complete.
	London, the 2nd July, 1632.
	[Italian.]
July 3. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Germania. Venetian Archives.	839. PIETRO VICO, Venetian Secretary in Germany, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The ministers here have heard that the King of England, tired of waiting any longer for the restoration of the Palatine, has decided to pay some money to the King of Sweden. As they consider it a great advantage to keep that king neutral, they have spoken recently to the Ambassador Anstruther, adroitly suggesting that they would like to see the Palatine detach himself from the King of Sweden, as then they could proceed with the arrangement for restoring the Palatinate. I learn on good authority that he replied that the Palatine was not in a country unfriendly to the House of Austria. He had gone to the Swede, not to bear arms against the emperor, but was staying at Frankfort, and trying to procure a universal peace, including the restoration of his states. The ambassador is trying to obtain a speedy decision, but they merely put him off with fair words and promises, while giving no definite answer. He hopes that his king will soon grant him leave to return home.
	Vienna, the 3rd July, 1632.
	[Italian; copy.]
July 8. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives.	840. ALVISE CONTARINI, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	Maastricht defends itself vigorously. They made a counter parallel to one carried up to the foot of the ditch by the English, and after various skirmishes the townsmen destroyed the work of the English, who had to begin all over again.
	The Hague, the 8th July, 1632.
	[Italian.]
July 9. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	841. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	In conformity with what the ministers here told me about the king's decision to choose an ambassador extraordinary to the Most Christian, to respond to the mission of M. di Sansciomon, he has decided to employ the Treasurer's son for this office, which will be merely ceremonious, when he passes through France to his destination in Savoy. Fresh confirmation has reached me from a good source of the idea that to honour him the more they propose to give him additional commissions to proceed to Venice, and then, as I hear in confidence, the ministers are consulting among themselves, and particularly the Treasurer's dependants, about persuading the king to send him in the same capacity of ambassador extraordinary to Mantua and Florence as well. This is what his father strongly desires, although he dissimulates and does not show it openly. His object, they say, in piling up these numerous embassies which are being added to his mission, is by their merit to make it easier and with less exclamation from his rivals and passion among his opponents, to introduce him subsequently, young though he is, to the highly valued appointment of Secretary of State. It is known that the Treasurer aspires greatly to secure this for him, so as to strike more firmly the roots of his own fortunes, which have already risen so high, upon the foundation and with the support of this office.
	The Ambassador Fontane decided to inform them at once here about the new accommodation with the consignment to the Most Christian of Clecmon and Astenai by the Duke of Lorraine, whom they call here the prince plucked by France. He imparted this both to the members of the Royal Council and to the Dutch ministers at this Court. He represents the good news as a very important point to render the Crown more free for its own advantage and that of its friends and the public weal. In speaking to me on this subject, he remarked how little his king had to fear from the attempts of the Duke of Orleans. He went on to tell me, in the form of a more secret confidence, that for the successful progress of the very secret negotiations conducted by France with the Prince of Orange, it was necessary to look eagerly for the speedy fall of Maastricht, but he would not open out any more, although I made some adroit attempts to penetrate further into these matters. I know that more than one member of the government here has let slip that they are advised on good authority in the Royal Council that the mutiny of the Infanta's commanders at Liege has taken place not without an understanding between the French and Dutch.
	Letters which crossed the sea by a favourable passage of a few hours have come from the Princess Palatine to the king, her brother, about the siege of Maastricht, which has advanced so far that its fall is almost sure. In communicating the contents of this letter to me, M. d'Edersolt went on to tell me of a strong remonstrance made by the Prince of Orange that the French had not acted according to the intention they had expressed to him of preventing the passage of the Spanish troops from Germany into Flanders, so that Don Gonzales, having arrived on the frontier of Guelderland, and having united with the remainder of the Infanta's commanders and troops, now pretends that he will either relieve the fortress or compel the prince to give battle, a thing the Spaniards did not venture to hope before his arrival.
	Twelve fine horses of this kingdom were taken two days ago to the house of Nicolaldi, the Spanish resident. They were sent immediately to be embarked on a special ship, and are to be taken as a present to the King of Spain from the king here.
	The last letters of your Excellencies are of the 11th ult.
	London, the 9th July, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
July 15. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives.	842. ALVISE CONTARINI, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The people [of Maastricht] still defend themselves valiantly. The English had captured a demi lune, but owing to the gun and musketry fire they had to abandon it. It is at present in ruins, and not held by anyone. In the recent action on the Moselle they say the much valued and famous Colonel Morgan received two musket shot wounds.
	The Hague, the 15th July, 1632.
	[Italian.]
July 16. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	843. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The last time that Sig. d'Edersolt had audience of his Majesty, three days ago, it turned upon some representation of the present state of affairs in Germany, and the advantage which the Imperialist forces claim to have secured since the reconquests in Bohemia and elsewhere by the troops of Volestain. He added some instances and strong representations in order to stimulate their slow and lukewarm resolutions in the interest of Sweden. From what he afterwards told me in confidence, he found the king well disposed and with the best intentions, although he does not deny that the hope of their doing anything here is very feeble, after so many promises and delays. He hinted that the shortness of money constantly became worse owing to his Majesty's objection to convoking parliament. He did not hesitate to tell me that there is only one resource at present for effecting the contributions to Sweden, and that is in the ready money which Burlamachi is to hand over to the Lord Treasurer. That merchant is expected from France every day with the assignment received for the debt due to this Crown. From his subsequent remarks I gathered there had been some difficulty about obtaining fully the instalments of the yearly pension paid to the Princess Palatine, though he declared he felt sure, with some effort, it would be all right in the end, after a few days, but he regrets this particular delay, because from it one may conclude that they will be the later in attending to the much more pressing matter of helping Sweden.
	Express messengers from Brussels, who sailed from Dunkirk and crossed in a few hours with a favourable wind, bring letters from the English resident at that Court, which confirm the resolution of the Spaniards either to relieve Maastricht or to compel the Dutch army to fight a battle. With respect to this the Ambassador Joachim told me that the Prince of Orange enjoyed a most striking advantage in being so strongly entrenched about that town, as he was when he captured Bolduc.
	Since the arrival of these messengers, in addition to the previous publication of the manifesto of Count Henry di Bergh, another document of his has appeared here, which contains an invitation to the troops with advantageous offers of pay if they will only come to serve under him. I am told on good authority that upon this the two ministers of Spain and Flanders performed a special office at this Court to stop any consent or connivance here to soldiers crossing, either one by one or in troops, in order to serve under the flag of the mutinous count. From what I hear from one of the Lords of the Council, the Spaniards seem less disturbed about this count, because by a new oath of fealty recently taken at Brussels and by the further measures taken by the Infanta and the commanders there, they think they have secured themselves sufficiently against any internal movements of their own subjects. On the other hand, these same recent letters from the English agent in Flanders represent very different views with respect to a much more open and serious revolt among the people of that province which may occur if Maastricht falls and the forces of the States approach nearer and with a more solid front, while on the other hand those under Count William keep advancing to the conquest of the forts on the Schelde not far from Antwerp. They write thence that the floods caused by the Dutch have done great harm to the inhabitants, to such an extent that many of those impoverished thereby make an almost riotous appeal to the Infanta for relief.
	A deputy from the city of Hamburg has arrived here. His commissions have not yet transpired. They have assigned one day this week for his audience, when the king has returned to Greenwich from the pleasures of the chase. From what I gather so far, his negotiations are concerned with matters of navigation and commerce. He has told the lords of the government with whom he has conferred that according to his advices the King of Denmark was sending out a large fleet of well armed men-of-war to the Sound, suggesting that in addition to the harm which he says may be done to Hamburg merchantmen in this way, that king may possibly have some understanding with the Imperialists, in order to make that passage difficult for Swedish ships as well.
	The festivities over the marriage of the Treasurer's son to the Duchess of Lennox took place at the Treasurer's country house these last days, with a sumptuous and solemn banquet. The king and queen were present, and all the leading people of the Court. At the marriage ceremony, after the king had made the bride a present of an assignment of about 50,000 florins, he took her by the hand, and with extraordinary favour chose to hand her himself to her husband. (fn. 1)
	No letters, either public or private, have appeared in this kingdom during the present week.
	London, the 16th July, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
July 23. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	844. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The Commendateur Valanse having been previously sent from Brussels to Spain, arrived here these last days, having come straight from Spain by sea. He has been introduced to private audience of the king, queen and Lord Treasurer, several times, not without some solicitude and secrecy, as he seems to desire. The more his negotiations are concealed, the more suspicious they make the French minister here. He confided to me what I had heard previously on good authority, that he had found out the essential object was to win over the king here to consent to the queen mother coming to this kingdom. He told me that the Spaniards were tired of the burden on them and equally anxious to seize a good opportunity for sowing ill feeling between England and France, and so they were trying to rid themselves in this manner; but he hoped that by the vigorous offices which he had forthwith interposed both with their Majesties and the ministers, he had done enough to thwart the Commendateur and at the same time put a stop to this fresh intrigue of the Spaniards. He told me that he already had express commissions in most emphatic terms to oppose this every time that the matter might be broached. He considered that he had actually succeeded in this, because Valanse, after staying here a week, was on the point of returning to Brussels, clearly perceiving that he could not bring the matter to a satisfactory termination. He said he had written to France that he was the more ready to credit the answer given him by the king and Lord Treasurer about preventing the queen mother from coming here, at the instance of the Most Christian, as in the present state of affairs here it was not difficult to persuade England not to take up a matter which, in addition to other worries, would also involve them in expense.
	He went on to inform me that he had seized the opportunity of his special audience for this matter to inform his Majesty and the lords here of the well established reunion between France and the Duke of Lorraine, as since the treaty of Leverdun that duke had gone in person, in the character of a good Frenchman, to meet the Most Christian. I perceived that he talked about this with a reference to important considerations, whereby the French expect to secure advantage for their interests from such an adjustment. He went on to remark that the attack on Maastricht and the capture shortly before of other places in Guelderland and Brabant by the Dutch arms had all been arranged and assisted by France, for the public weal, for their own security and to help their confederates. He hinted that much more important results would be disclosed after the fall of Maastricht. He concluded with these set terms that France had good cause to stand on the alert, as besides the efforts to stir up trouble within the kingdom, a packet of letters which was intercepted in the Mediterranean by the galleys of the Most Christian on their way from Spain to Italy, threw a great deal of light on the pernicious designs of that quarter. I have informed the Ambassador Soranzo of these particulars.
	Burlamachi has returned from France, the matter of the debt due to this Crown being at length despatched. The moment he arrived, he went first to see the Treasurer and then the king. From what they say, both would have welcomed him more warmly if he had brought with him more in cash and less in assignments.
	London, the 23rd July, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
July 23. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	845. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	They are ready to issue the royal commissions any day to the Ambassador Weston, the Treasurer's son, who is going as ambassador extraordinary to France, Savoy, Venice and Florence. I went, according to the custom of this Court, to offer my congratulations to him and his wife, daughter of the Duchess of Lennox, on their marriage. The office pleased them both, and they thanked me. Shortly afterwards, in the course of the conversation, he began of his own accord to speak about his mission, for which he made his Majesty responsible. He told me he was getting ready to start on his journey very soon, and he would come expressly to this house to give more precise particulars and to take leave. I understand that he said the same to the French ambassador, who had been to congratulate him a few days before.
	The ministers of Spain and Holland here, after making vigorous representations for their respective sides, are anxiously waiting for what the decision will be, which is expected soon, about a Spanish ship, laden with very rich merchandise, which was captured by the Dutch on its way from the Indies, and brought by them, under stress of weather, into these waters, where it is sequestrated by order of the king here. They both consider the decision a very important one, owing to the prejudicial results which may be established to the detriment of their very important navigation.
	The Ambassador Joachim and the Deputy Brasser told me that the States, owing to their eagerness about this affair and in order to render the king here more favourable to them, had decided to yield up to his royal pleasure the restitution of another ship, although a Dunkirker, which had been taken in the Thames, after it had done harm to Dutch subjects.
	With the most recent letters from the Prince Palatine, Edersolt is circulating news at this Court that the affairs of Sweden in Germany are again taking a better course. But here they remain as slow as ever, and he has scant hopes of any satisfactory support. He says that in the present state of affairs England wants to keep the matter alive, and in the state of mere negotiation, rather than come to any real conclusion.
	The lords here do not seem at all pleased to hear of the movement of the Swedish troops, which were originally intended for the defence of the Palatinate and for further conquests, but are now understood to have left those parts in large numbers with other designs. On the other hand, the Dutch ministers here suggested to me that by the past offices of the States with the King of Sweden, these same troops might be led, by some nearer and more appropriate diversion to encourage the progress of their own forces, which have already advanced so far.
	Two packets of letters have come from Italy this week, including the state despatches, dated the 18th and 25th ult.
	London, the 23rd July, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
July 27. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	846. GIOVANNI SORANZO, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The English agent Oger left here two days ago, and travelled post to London. It can only be in order to inform them orally of the arrangement disclosed between France and the King of Sweden about the Palatinate, about which he betrayed much uneasiness to me. There is no doubt but they will find the news serious; but the disorders of that government are so well known that the English will not even venture to complain to the King of Sweden; although, if he had known them to be capable of holding those fortresses there is no doubt that he would have preferred England to France, out of regard for the Palatine as well as for religious reasons.
	Paris, the 27th July, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]
July 29. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Signori Stati. Venetian Archives.	847. ALVISE CONTARINI, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	They say that the Ambassador Ven has arranged the treaty in favour of the Prince Palatine on behalf of England. Nothing remained to be done, but the stipulating and signing by him. This was postponed because of a slight indisposition from which he was suffering.
	The Hague, the 29th July, 1632.
	[Italian.]
July 30. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Inghilterra. Venetian Archives.	848. VICENZO GUSSONI, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the DOGE and SENATE.
	The attempt recently made by the Spaniards by the late mission of the Commandeur Valanse has proved a failure. He made the most strenuous efforts and performed every possible office with the king, queen and ministers to interest this Crown in the affair of the queen mother. The object was either to get them to consent here to her proceeding from Brussels to England, or in some other way at least to obtain their interposition here for arranging some settlement with the Most Christian. On this second point, they gave him the most friendly words and offers, but little or nothing conclusive, while on the first their excuses and refusals were quite clear and decided. They profess that they do not think it seemly in this matter to agree to something which France, by open representations, has so strongly declared that she does not wish them to permit. I hear on good authority that Valanse was so little pleased, or rather so incensed, that in spite of the favour and assistance he received in his negotiations from the Earl of Carlisle, who also entertained him at his house for some days, that he decided, having taken his congé of his Majesty, to go away at once, as he did two days ago, without taking leave of the queen here.
	The return of Burlamachi from France with the final settlement about the debt to this Crown, has not so far produced any better resolution about effective contributions to Sweden. The agent of the Prince Palatine, indeed, in opening out to me in confidential conversation, showed that his hopes of any satisfactory issue to this long delayed affair were more feeble than ever. He hinted that he thought the Ambassador Vane might possibly be recalled from Germany, as besides another fresh occasion for dissatisfaction it was known here that the king there seemed less and less inclined to the negotiations left in his hands.
	The general attention here is fixed on the army of Volestain, exaggerations about which arrive from several quarters, although very precise details are circulated from the houses of the Spanish and French ministers, and it is believed that news may arrive any day of some great battle between the Imperialists and the Swedes.
	Weston, who is destined as ambassador extraordinary to France, Venice, Savoy and Florence, came to this house yesterday after dinner, to take leave with the usual office of good credence. He paid me all the proper compliments, expressing his Majesty's affection for the republic, to which I replied suitably. He told me he thought his departure was settled for next week; he expected to discharge all his offices in four months, as they were merely ceremonious, not for business. The general opinion is that only the good fortune of the royal favour which his father enjoys has secured for this youth the honour of such an employment, in order to prepare the way for him to more important offices in this kingdom. I gathered from my conversation with the French minister here that he has written to France on the subject, perhaps to obtain a more cordial welcome for the son in view of the very influential position held by the father at this Court. I have informed his Excellency Soranzo about this.
	The Dutch ministers here have sent the king, who is still at his usual pleasures of the chase, the news of the recent capture by the Dutch forces of a fort considered very important from its position on the frontiers of Ulst, the principal key of that province. (fn. 2) But the issue at Maastricht is awaited with much greater interest, since both sides are understood to be making their supreme effort for that place.
	On the report here of the visit of the President Picinardi to Venice, sent by the Duke of Feria, the general opinion is that he will have his despatch just as Rabata did. Whenever I find any shadow of suspicion about it, I do not fail to try and dissipate it.
	London, the 30th July, 1632.
	[Italian; the part in italics deciphered.]