Venice: June 1649 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 28, 1647-1652. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1927.

'Venice: June 1649', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 28, 1647-1652, (London, 1927) pp. 102-109. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol28/pp102-109 [accessed 19 April 2024]

June 1649



June 1. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Costantinopoli. Venetian Archives.	282. Giulio Cesare Alberti and Pietro Vianuol, Venetian Secretaries at Constantinople, to the Doge and Senate. The English ambassador went yesterday to audience of the first Vizier. He took credit in the first place for the ships he had supplied, saying that in so doing he ran the risk of incurring odium among all Christians but that he would keep his promise. He asked for confirmation of the privilege that all goods brought here by the ships of his nation, not only from England but from everywhere else, should not be subject to pay more than 3 per cent. in duties, asserting that this was contained in his capitulations with the Porte. The Emino, who was present, opposed this saying that the privilege applied only to goods coming from England. The Vizier would not give a decision on the matter. The ambassador subsequently made strong representations for the release of the Bailo, according to his own account. The Vizier defended his action. The Vigne di Pera, the 1st June, 1649. [Italian ; deciphered.]
June 1. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	283. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. Encloses advices of London. Verbie, the 1st June, 1649. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	284. Advices from London, of the 24th May, 1649. Last week the House of Commons having gathered that some cavalier had collected a large sum of money to carry out some design against parliament, forthwith announced that any one who denounced conspirators against the republic should have a third of their goods and the rest should be devoted to the army in Ireland. (fn. 1) Letters have reached the Council from Colonel Popham, one of the parliament admirals, now at Falmouth, reporting that a part of his ships, cruising in search of Prince Rupert, fell in with one of his squadrons, and after a sharp fight they captured a frigate of 24 guns besides a large ship ; but shortly after the prince attacked another squadron of parliament and after an obstinate fight captured one of their best ships, many parliament soldiers being slain, while he only lost a few. (fn. 2) The regiment of Colonel Heuson has left Whitehall for Brenford, on its way to Ireland, following the regiment of Gen. Fairfax. [Italian.]
June 4. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Munster. Venetian Archives.	285. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador to the Congress at Munster, to the Doge and Senate. The king of England has sent Cotinton and another leading minister to open for himself a courteous passage to France through Flanders, The reply to the archduke is not yet known. Munster, the 4th June, 1649. [Italian.]
June 8. Senato, Mar. Venetian Archives.	286. Agreement made with Thomas Galilea, captain of the ship Soccorso, carrying 36 men and 24 guns, for the voyage of Candia, to transport munitions to Standia. Approved in the Senate on the 8th June. Ayes, 141. Noes, 2. Neutral, 0. [Italian.]
June 8. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	287. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. Fresh orders have been issued for the reduction of Bordeaux. This decision is generally condemned and it might lead the people there to appeal to England, who would not need much persuasion owing to the natural aversion they feel for the government here and the detestation felt here over the barbarous death of the king their master, which they know to be concealed, and to be only waiting for a favourable opportunity to break out and avenge him. To speak frankly they discuss that unhappy accident here with so much passion that if God grants peace one day, as is so ardently desired, it seems likely that they would in a moment divert all their forces for the destruction of that barbarous people. It is possible it is this contingency that disputes with your Serenity for the assistance which is so necessary, while there would always be time for vengeance on England. Encloses the sheet of events of London. Verbie, the 8th June, 1649. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	288. Advices from London, of the 28th May, 1649. The company of the estates of Scotland has made Gen. Lesley governor of Edinburgh castle, declaring Major Gen. Middleton a traitor and all those who took arms without commission from that company, and in particular the Ogleby and Gordons, unless they come within 20 days to submit. It is not likely that they will, seeing that they are masters of the country, and Gen. Lesley has orders to march against them so soon as his troops are ready to fight. The regiments destined for Ireland by parliament do not show much desire to go there, indeed they seem to contemplate joining the other side. Colonel Popan, since his captures reported last week has taken another vessel of Prince Rupert's fleet (fn. 3) with no great difficulty. [Italian.]
June 9. Senato, Mar. Venetian Archives.	289. Agreement made with Captain John Limbii for the hire of his ship Lealta carrying 60 men and 28 guns, for war service in the fleet. Similar agreement with John Marvin, captain of the ship Giovanni, carrying 60 men and 28 guns. Similar agreement with Thomas Lanchester, captain of the ship Realta, carrying 60 men and 30 guns. Approved in the Senate on the 9th June. Ayes, 141. Noes, 2. Neutral, 0. [Italian.]
June 12. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Spagna. Venetian Archives.	290. Pietro Basadonna, Venetian Ambassador in Spain, to the Doge and Senate. There are two causes of dispute between Rome and Spain, and the pope has had the worst of it in both cases. The first in the case of the Prothontary, reported long since. For the second, the nuncio strongly insists on a reprimand being given to Torre, the Spanish envoy in Ireland, who after slandering the nuncio there, has come hither to Madrid to follow up his suit, as if his conduct had been meritorious. I will relate this Irish business, of which your Serenity may not have heard. Some frigates fitted out by the Irish Catholics were cruising in those seas with letters of marque from the pope, for the purpose of harassing the English heretics ; but as is usual with buccaneers, they did not make distinction, and seized a vessel bound from San Sebastian for Flanders, with 18,000 reals, which they cheerfully divided with the rest of the booty. Torre claimed redress from the nuncio, and being unable to obtain any, had recourse to the courts of law, which gave an award in his favour, sentencing the nuncio to pay damages. So Torre had all the furniture belonging to this poor prelate sold publicly in the market place, and owing to the affront and scorn thus put upon him the nuncio was compelled either to quit the kingdom, or to make a show of doing so, for I cannot find out whether he really came away. (fn. 4) Expulsis papalistis. Madrid, the 12th June, 1649 [Italian.]
June 15. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Munster. Venetian Archives.	291. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador to the Congress of Munster, to Michiel Morosini, his colleague in France. The king of England has left the Hague and will already have passed through Flanders. He was accompanied as far as Breda by the Princess Palatine, his aunt, and the Princess of Orange, his sister. He had previously thanked the States General by the mouth of his Resident Bosuel for the kind treatment he had received in those Provinces, and the Assembly in a body responded to the compliment. By the time this letter arrives he will be in France, intending to proceed thence to Ireland. Munster, the 15th June, 1649. [Italian.]
June 15. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	292. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. Encloses the usual sheet of London. Verbie, the 15th June, 1649. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	293. Advices from London, the 3rd June, 1649. By the latest news the Independents attacked a party of 3 to 4,000 of the enemy who had taken possession of Nurempton and of magazines of arms. After a sharp fight the Independents proved victorious, slaying a great number of the enemy and taking many prisoners. (fn. 5) Since this they say that the defeated side, in much greater numbers, has got possession of Scarbrot castle, where the late king was confined, and of the Isle of Wight, towards which the whole Independent army is moving. There is a rumour that in Scotland the royalists have completely defeated Gen. Lesley and that Dublin castle has received important succour from the London parliament. [Italian.]
June 21. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Germania. Venetian Archives.	294. Niccolo Sagredo, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate. This much is undoubted and horrible that the English ambassador is giving all his ships, those coming from Egypt as well as the ones at Constantinople and Smyrna, so that they may serve in war against your Serenity. The son of the king of Denmark showed me letters from London which say that the ambassador has made this concession, and Count Lesle confirmed it to me, saying that parliament had done it in revenge because your Serenity had not chosen to recognise it as sovereign. Vienna, the 21st June, 1649. [Italian.]
	295. Niccolo Sagredo, Venetian Ambassador in Germany, to the Doge and Senate. The Turks have undoubtedly been beaten by the Venetians. Meanwhile they hope to have the English ships at Smyrna and with the help of the Barbary forces the Turks believe that they will soon have Candia. Letters of the 2nd state that the English ambassador went on the previous day to audience of the Vizier and received vestments, together with his secretary and the dragoman, of the richest cafftan, for having granted to the Turks the English ships which are at the Porte. It is also certain that the other English ships which are coming from Egypt will all be armed and will serve in war against the Venetians. Vienna, the 21st June, 1649. [Italian.]
June 22. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	296. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. Encloses the usual sheet of London. Amiens, the 22nd June, 1649. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	297. Advices from London, the 10th June, 1649. Londonderry has been taken by assault by the Scots of Ulster, which province is now completely subject to the Marquis of Ormond, the Viceroy, whence the troops are advancing to lay siege to Dublin, the capture of which is not considered likely to cause much difficulty as it is only provisioned for 8 days. Prince Rupert is at Kingsale with 15 ships, and should be reinforced with 8 others, to support the siege by sea, if he is not prevented by the Admiral of England, who is determined to fight him at all costs. Gen. Lesley, in breach of the armistice arranged with Lord Middleton, commanding the royal forces in Scotland, surprised 1,200 of his men, slaying 100 and taking the rest prisoner, including a number of officers. (fn. 6) 800 horse have entered Northampton with orders to live at discretion there, because they received Lieut. Col. Thompson, chief of the Levellers. On the 3rd inst. the House of Commons passed an act for the establishment of a militia in this city and for the nomination of commissioners to superintend it, to whom they give power to disarm all the Catholics and others whom they call delinquents, and to cut down without compunction all those who venture to resist their orders. On the same day the Princess Elizabeth having asked the Commons for a pension, it was decided that the Countess of Leicester should take charge of her with the Duke of Gloucester, her brother, until other arrangements were made by the Commons, and that 3,000l. sterling should be assigned for their yearly pension. On the same day news arrived that our ships had taken a Flemish ship of 200 tons burthen carrying arms and munitions to the Irish, in which they found five English officers who were carried off prisoners to Pendennis castle on suspicion of being concerned in the assassination of Dr. Dorislaus, without any evidence except that they embarked at the same time as the incident occurred. (fn. 7) On the 8th Gen. Fairfax arrived here from Portsmouth where he had gone to oppose a party of Levellers which was said to have formed in the Isle of Wight, but which dispersed before he arrived there. [Italian.]
June 22. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Capitano Gen. da Mar. Venetian Archives.	298. Alvise Mocenigo, Venetian Captain General at Sea, to the Doge and Senate. Encloses petition of George Scot, captain of the Scottish ship which was wrecked in the waters of Andros after the fight at Fochies. In the action in question he strenuously performed every duty that could be desired of him, in closing with and fighting the enemy fleet. He carried away the evidences of the noble work he performed against the galeasses of which he captured one, and in every other respect, as was further shown by the considerable damage suffered by the ship in her hull and rigging. Candia, the 22nd June, 1649, new style. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	299. Certificate that George Scot of the Scottish ship James, in the fight at Fochies carried off a galeasse. His ship was very roughly handled by the enemy and on the night of the 23rd ult. after it had proceeded with the whole squadron of the fleet to the waters of Andros, by cruel ill fortune it filled with water and sank. The ship off Fraschia, the 16th June, 1649, new style. [Signed] : Giacomo di Riva, Captain of the ships. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	300. Petition of George Scot. After the fight his ship was completely dismasted and lacking everything required to navigate it. It was in addition battered in many parts with gun shots below the water mark so that she filled and sank off Andros. Asks to be paid the value of the ship, which was a new one, on her first voyage and cost him 35,000 reals. In the fight itself and at a conference before it Captain Riva promised that all damage suffered should be paid for. [Italian.]
June 29. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Francia. Venetian Archives.	301. Michiel Morosini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to the Doge and Senate. Encloses usual sheet of London. Amiens, the 29th June, 1649. [Italian.]
Enclosure.	302. Advices from London, the 18th June, 1649. The Common Council of England arranged to entertain at dinner the whole parliament, the General, the Council of State and all the officers of the army, special commissioners being deputed for this invitation. There were great preparations for this banquet which was to be more sumptuous than the one given to the late king on his return from Scotland. It was recently reported to the Commons that Sir [Thomas] Soames, one of their members, with Sir [Richard] Chrambries, on refusing to take part in the declaration abolishing the royal government, had been expelled (fn. 8) and declared incapable of discharging any office in the republic in the future. It was recently proposed to declare Ireland a free state provided they would give up helping the enemies of the republic and give some towns as hostages, but after a long discussion they considered it more suitable to compel them to do this by force, because everything was being got ready. They also issued an act for the choice and sending of commissioners to all the counties to see to the observance of all the articles granted to those who served the late king. The regulations for the establishment of the republic become more and more severe and they are not holding back others enforcing respect and obedience to its commands. [Italian.]
June 29. Senato, Secreta. Dispacci, Munster. Venetian Archives.	303. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador to the Congress of Munster, to Michiel Morosini, his colleague, in France. The king of England, having heard of the capture by the parliamentary fleet of two Dutch ships on which were embarked 100 and more military officers of those most in his Majesty's confidence, (fn. 9) has made halt at Breda without going any farther, accordingly the ministers of the archduke who had gone to Antwerp to lodge and defray him, have returned to Brussels, and have merely sent forward a handsome coach with six horses which the archduke had sent as a gift to the king. Munster, the 29th June, 1649. [Italian ; copy.]