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July 1.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
|
169. Vicenzo Gussoni, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
A person sent express by the English Agent in France has
gone straight to Scotland to find the king. He left here yesterday
letters for each of the Ministers here, the more essential
contents of which seem to confirm the idea that the Spaniards,
in the present doubt as to which side will have the advantage
in arms and affairs in Germany, do not propose for the moment
to bring the negotiations for a truce in Holland to a conclusion.
The Duke of Arescot, the Bishop of Malines, the Abbot of
Vas and the Pensionary of Antwerp, who recently arrived at
Brussels, made their representations which gave scant satisfaction
to the Infanta, and indeed were very ill received by
her. She is considering whether she will send them back to
Holland with fresh proposals. On this subject the Deputy
Brasser is sending word to his Majesty through the Secretary
Windebank, that since the capture of Rimburg (fn. 1) his masters have
felt encouraged to undertake yet greater enterprises, and all
the Provinces have agreed unanimously to refuse absolutely
all that the Spaniards have proposed to them, and to insist still
more on the question of trade in the Indies, a point which the
ministers here say is not capable of any compromise which
will not turn out most prejudicial to one side or the other.
Accordingly by adding one thing to another they argue here that
the conclusion of those negotiations is less easy and further
off. Thus Brasser, seizing the opportunity of the communications
in question has asked for a promise of fresh levies of
troops in this kingdom for recruiting the English regiments.
This will certainly be granted, since they did not refuse the
same favour recently to the Infanta herself, notwithstanding
the strict order to the contrary published shortly before.
With the arrival of a courier extraordinary who recently
reached Brussels from Spain with all speed, came orders and
provisions for large payments to the troops there, which had
been suspended. It would seem that they are more solicitous
than usual at that Court about making payments, with the object
of keeping the soldiers content, since the Spaniards are not
sure they will be able to prevent the Dutch forces from invading
Brabant or Flanders. The situation there becomes more uneasy
owing to the following of Count Henry de Bergh. They believe
at the Court of Brussels that the French have arranged
to contribute to the support of his troops, although it is
announced publicly that he is employed in the name of the
States, into whose pay he has already entered. It appears that
the ministers here have heard the same whispers. They say
they have good grounds for believing there may be some secret
arrangement, and that the Spaniards are very suspicious and
uneasy about it.
They are waiting eagerly here to hear the news that the Duke
of Symeren has taken possession of the city of Heidelberg,
whereby the Lower Palatinate will be entirely freed. The government
say that they cannot hope for the recovery of the
Upper without an army capable of beating the enemy in the field.
With regard to the negotiations in the empire the lords here
seem assured that neither the Swedes nor the majority of the
princes of the party will ever agree to the exclusion of France.
Indeed they intimate to me that they are advised on good
authority that the French have resumed some more confidential
relations with Bavaria. For the rest they hold fast to their
opinion about not believing that any agreement in Germany is
near at hand, in spite of the intervention of Denmark, before
one side or the other has once more tested its fortune on the
field. Amid these affairs they believe that very powerful encounters
are at hand on both sides.
Since the departure of the Ambassador Fontane, who even
took his secretary with him, no minister has yet appeared here
from France. The mission of M. di Guron to Lorraine excites
comment, as he was apparently declared by the Most Christian
to be ambassador in ordinary to this crown. Many believe
this new employment of Guron is not without mystery, as it
greatly resembles what England did when Anstruther, who had
been destined for a long time as ambassador in ordinary to
France, was sent to Germany, where he remains.
The Polish ambassador, (fn. 2) for whom they had prepared a welcome,
instead of coming here as expected, to the usual place
of embarcation, has gone to a town on the coast of Scotland,
sailing from Zeeland. They interpret this here as a sign of
greater urgency and haste in the matters upon which he is to
treat with his Majesty.
The last letters to reach me from the Senate are of the 3rd ult.
London, the 1st July, 1633.
[Italian.] |
July 2.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Germania.
Venetian
Archives.
|
170. Antonio Antelmi, Venetian Resident in Germany, to
the Doge and Senate.
I hear from Augsburg that the castle of Heidelberg has also
surrendered to the Swedes. That the English Ambassador Anstruther
has gone to Frankfort for the remittances of the
money promised by his king for the Palatinate ; and that he
immediately turned his steps towards Silesia at the news of
what is taking place there. The Chancellor Oxesterne is also
thinking of going there or sending some one special.
Vienna, the 2nd July, 1633.
[Italian ; copy.] |
July 4.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Candia
Rettori.
Venetian
Archives.
|
171. Francesco Bragadin, Proveditore of Cerigo, to the Doge
and Senate.
A polacca has arrived from Napoli from which I learn of the
fight between the Turkish fleet and two English bertons in
the channel of Scios, with the death of the Captain Pasha. I
enclose the deposition.
Cerigo, the 24th June, 1633 old style.
[Italian.] |
|
Enclosure.
|
172. Deposition of Purri Barouier, French Consul at Cerigo,
who arrived in a French polacca.
Come from Napoli di Romania. Four days from that city.
News of a fight twenty days ago in the channel of Scios.
The Captain Pasha in that port sent two galleys to reconnoitre
and demand the present from two English ships there. (fn. 3) They
refused to render obedience and fought. The Captain Pasha
came out with all his galleys and fought a long while with
those ships. The Captain Pasha's galley was sunk and he
himself slain with divers Beys. A number of men having
boarded the ships, the English seeing themselves overpowered,
fired their magazines and both ships blew up with all on
board. All the English perished and a number of Turks, with
great damage to all the galleys. Learned this at Napoli di
Romania from persons come from Scios who saw it all.
[Italian.] |
July 7.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Signori
Stati.
Venetian
Archives.
|
173. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands,
to the Doge and Senate.
Four gentlemen have arrived here from England with the
order of the garter for Prince Charles, son of the late Palatine, (fn. 4)
who is with the army. The Resident Bosuel will have to go
on purpose to perform the function to put on the robes. The
Princess Palatine, his mother, is much comforted by the hope
of substantial assistance and a donation from the whole kingdom
of England for her affairs.
They talk of persons being sent to inform the Chancellor
Oxisterna, the Elector of Brandenburg and other princes about
the negotiations of Arnem, and the King of Denmark or his
eldest son may go in person to Dresden, while there is some
fear of the duke there suddenly coming to terms. The Ambassador
Anstruther also has since arrived at Dresden. His
offices will be directed to trying to get Saxony to recognise Duke
Louis as administrator of the Electorate and Palatinate. He
will proceed shortly to the Elector of Brandenburg and then go
back to Denmark to carry out his instructions.
The Hague, the 7th July, 1633.
[Italian.] |
July 8.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
|
174. Vicenzo Gussoni, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
His Majesty's coronation has taken place in Edinburgh, the
capital of Scotland, amid universal applause, acclamation and
rejoicing. The arrangements, the demonstrations and the ceremony
itself reached the highest degree of splendour. More
could not have been done, from the nature of the country.
We are told that over 10,000 horses were employed for the
celebrations, counting from the day that the king crossed the
border, until the day of the coronation itself. A mutual oath
was taken in the cathedral, first by the king and then by
the people. The first was to observe and maintain the fundamental
laws of the realm. The second for obedience and fealty
to the crown. That same evening a gentleman was despatched
in all haste with letters to the queen, delivered only forty hours
after they were dated, containing all the particulars of the
ceremony. His Majesty was highly delighted with the affection,
which he himself writes, surpassed all belief, and extended
to all ranks. At the royal table all the leading earls of the
realm served to offer the food. Other duties were carried out
by members of the Council and those with English titles, all
barons and cavaliers of Scotland. His Majesty honoured the
rejoicings of that day by the creation of twelve knights, a
viscount, two earls and a marquis, all Scots. (fn. 5) Two days after
they celebrated the opening of parliament there, the king being
present in person. He is expected to hasten the despatch of
the remaining business, in order to return as soon as possible.
The ministers here declare that he will come at the end of this
month or the beginning of next.
The ambassador extraordinary of Poland had his first audience
shortly after the landing in Scotland. With the King and
Court so far away we have not yet heard exact particulars of
his proposals and negotiations. From rumours which have
reached the few in charge here we learn that he expressed the
desire of his king for some prolongation of the truce with
Sweden, such as was arranged before through the interposition
of this crown. He also seems to have asked for some restriction
of the permission granted to the Muscovites to levy troops
and take arms from this kingdom. It is further stated that
he has special instructions about treating for an accomodation
in Germany. Here they would be glad if that king inclined
to marry the young princess Palatine, his Majesty's niece.
The lords here state that Prince Radzvil, who is a Protestant
and who with all his party strongly favoured the election of
the present king, has declared that he will gladly interpose for
some treaty to this effect. But this is mere talk without any
solid basis.
M. Soubise has been to the queen to a special audience. He
told her, so they say, of the marriage of a daughter of the
Duke of Rohan, his brother, to Duke Bernard Weimar of
Saxony. (fn. 6) According to the talk here this may strengthen the
good will of France towards the princes of the Union in Germany.
I hear there is some notion among the ministers here that
the Spaniards do not altogether despair of winning the Duke
of Savoy, just as it is feared that the Imperialists have done
the same with the Duke of Lorraine. Here owing to his
recent action, they consider him utterly alienated from the
French, at least at heart.
Reports continue in conformity with what issues from the
house of the Resident Nicolaldi, that the massing of the Spanish
forces in Italy is merely in order to lead them to open the
passes in Alsace and facilitate the succours to Flanders. Meanwhile
every one is intent to see what their designs will prove
to be, especially with the Cardinal Infant staying in Italy.
The deputy Brasser, although he could not get it by persuasion,
has found an expedient for the despatch of the levies
which were being collected in this kingdom to fill up the English
regiments serving in Holland. They complain that Cottington
and some other minister here, considered Spanish, have raised
fresh and artificial difficulties on the slightest pretext, for
which they have sent to Scotland to have a more explicit confirmation
of the King's good pleasure, thus securing delay and
so depriving the States of the advantage. He has sent them
word of this unexpected difficulty.
This mart is also interested on commercial grounds in the
matter of the fleet from the Indies, which has been expected
in Spain since before last month. Nothing certain about it
has arrived at this moment even in the most recent letters
from those parts.
The Senate's letters of the 10th June shall receive due attention.
London, the 8th July, 1633.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
9 July.
Inquisitori
di
Stato
Lettere de
Ambasciatori
Roma.
Venetian
Archives.
|
175. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador at Rome, to
the Inquisitors of State.
Frate Alessandro Alix, a Capuchin, came to Rome some weeks
before the chapter general of his Order, which ended this last
Whitsun, and he has stayed on all the summer. His business
is important and concerns the disputes taking place in England
between the Secular and Regular clergy, in order to avoid
a great schism in the Church, greater than has ever been,
if it took root. I knew him in England. He is entirely
devoted to the Duke of Bavaria. He has made several journeys
about the Palatine's affairs. He has a good understanding,
and is worth considering. I send this in response to your
letters of last week.
Rome, the 9th July, 1633.
[Italian.] |
July 13.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Costantinopoli.
Venetian
Archives.
|
176. Piero Foscarini, Venetian Ambassador at Constantinople,
to the Doge and Senate.
The Captain who found the English ship at Gallipoli from
which the deputies of Marseilles were landed, levied an
impost upon it, because in the sinking of a caique near that
ship some Mussulman had lost his life. He took 3600 reals
from them, about which the English ambassador has so far
protested in vain ; and he is now trying to make the expense fall
on some Jews as the cause of the accident, although no one
perished in it, all being saved by the activity of the sailors
of the ship.
The same Pasha found two English ships at Cassandra, lading
wheat. On sighting the fleet, they wished to escape, but the
wind failed them and the Pasha attacked them with great
fury with his fleet. They fought bravely inflicting great damage
on the galleys, but unable to offer further resistance, many
Turks having boarded them, they fired these ships and blew them
all up, though it is said that about fifty of the sailors were
made slaves, and one of the two captains who threw himself
into the water, on whom they mean to take cruel vengeance for
the losses of the Turks, said to be about 1500, including 800
Janissaries, the Bey of Rhodes, much esteemed for his valour,
and other persons of rank. The galley of the Chiacaia of the
Arsenal was completely cleared of men and the Captain Pasha's
suffered severely, his prow being smashed, his mainmast burned,
his sails in shreds and all ruined ; so that they withdrew to
Negropont for repairs, sending meanwhile for a new tenth
of men from the islands to reinforce the fleet. This incident is
much discussed here to the disadvantage of the Captain Pasha,
as for many days they had no news at all.
News has just been brought in by a Frenchman who got
here from Smyrna in thirteen days, that he heard from another
Frenchman, who had touched at Scios on his way from Negropont,
that after burning the two English ships the Pasha had
thoroughly repaired his galleys and had gone after some more
Westerners, reported to be in the waters of Cerigo.
The Vigne of Pera, the 13th July, 1633.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
July 15.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
|
177. Vicenzo Gussoni, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
All the couriers from Scotland agree in confirming the speedy
return of his Majesty. A son of the Lord Treasurer, sent expressly,
has this very day brought letters from the king to
the queen assuring her of the same. The last advices from
that Court are devoted to recording the extraordinary satisfaction
of the king at the numerous signs among the people there of
true zeal and affection, which cannot be realised, so they write,
except by those who have seen it. At the assembly of the parliament
there, as regards affairs in general, everything passed
off to the entire satisfaction of the king, to which the Scots
paid the most careful attention, being well aware of the disputes
which have occurred upon other occasions over such assemblies
in this city, to such an extent that in the general opinion no
meeting of the England parliament will be permitted by this
crown, at any rate not for a long time. The most noteworthy
decisions come to in Scotland consist in the universal and
very prompt offers of that nation to relieve the royal exchequer
of various charges. They have not even neglected to provide
in great part for the extraordinary expenses necessarily involved
over this journey, so that the new contributions, offered
spontaneously by the people there will diminish considerably the
sum which, according to the calculations of the Treasurer,
they thought they would have to devote for his Majesty's
journey to Scotland. The Earl of Stratern, who is a Scot by
birth, and held the post of President of the Council in Edinburgh,
accused, although he denies it, of having spoken with
too much freedom and imprudence about his followers and the
ancient rights of his house with respect to some old claim
to succeed to the crown of that kingdom, has received
an unexpected command to withdraw and keep away from the
king and Court. His punishment is limited to this species of
exile, although it was whispered that it would be much greater,
owing to the jealous nature of the affair. (fn. 7)
The ministers here have very recent advices from their correspondents
in Lorraine about the ever growing preparations of
the duke there. He is collecting the largest force of soldiers
he can, apparently under the pretext of securing his country
against raids of the Swedes. But in reality the French have
taken alarm at it, the more so because the mission of Guron
to his Highness has not produced all the good results that they
desired. The members of the government here continue to express
the opinion, which becomes stronger, that the imperialists
have some secret understanding with Lorraine, although he does
all he can to keep it secret. He fears no less the proximity of
St. Simon's army, which they write has proceeded to some
further conquests in the state of Treves, than the Most Christian
coming to some resolution, which would lead him to proceed to
those frontiers once more with the bulk of his forces.
Cottington has written to the king, and has sent me word
since, as a sign of confidence, that the Spanish Resident here
assures him that the Duke of Feria will certainly go with all
the forces of Spain collected in Italy, to make the most determined
efforts in Germany, to deliver that country from the
occupation of the Swedes, and to open a passage for emergencies
which may arise in Flanders. On the other hand, by the very
opportune communication of the advices which last reached
me, of the 17th ult. I do what I can for the interests of
the state, and do not neglect to make suitable reflections upon
what has been done in the relief of Coregio (fn. 8) , and what they
hope to effect through the marriage of the Princess of Stigliano
to the Duke of Medina Las Torres. With these I found it easy
to impress on the ministers here the idea that the Spaniards are
reaching towards the end of their designs in Italy, without
losing sight of Mantua and Sabioneda. I make known the
activity of the most serene republic in the succour supplied to
Mantua.
News has come that Crichi has made his entry into Rome.
In connection with this they have talked of the behaviour
adopted by him when the ambassador of Savoy called on him,
when he did not obtain any advancement. The ministers here
laugh openly at this, but Cottington more than any one else.
One observes other signs of derision, as every one remarks
that the pretensions to royalty are confined to the one who lays
claim to them, and receive no countenance or encouragement
even from the quarter where it might most be expected, and
possibly where the claimant hoped to find it.
When the queen went for pleasure to the gardens of the
widowed Duchess of Buckingham, she desired to take part
herself in one of the royal barques. She challenged another to
race over a long course of the Thames, and won. In the other
was the courtier Garrin, who as loser paid her Majesty the
stakes arranged beforehand, of 500 crowns. A large number
of ladies and cavaliers gathered for this curious spectacle, divided
out among other boats which followed the two contestants.
London, the 15th July, 1633.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
July 22.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
|
178. Vicenzo Gussoni, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
The ambassador of Poland has taken leave of the Court in
Scotland and arrived here. He keeps practically incognito. He
will not visit or receive visits, either for compliments or affairs, (fn. 9)
not even from those of the government who are here. He
allows himself to be seen about the city with two of his sons,
and little other following. People say that in spite of his
having taken his conge of the king he will stay here privately
until his Majesty's return. It is known that he has remarked
that he is expecting new commissions. With regard to his
negotiations in Scotland, with the Court so far away one learns
no more than what I wrote, but from his brief sojourn in that
country it is concluded that he did not transact business of
great importance.
The king has left Edinburgh, both the people and his Majesty
having given and received mutual satisfaction, as well in the
parliament as in everything else. He wished to proceed to
Stirling and Fachlant to enjoy the hunting and have the pleasure
of seeing the country in which he says he is proud of being
born, although he left it as a baby of two.
The last session of that parliament voted an extraordinary
contribution of six portions, payable to his Majesty in six years,
to the amount of 120,000l. sterling. This is the more gratifying
to the king because he knows that added to the others,
it is more in proportion with their affection than their means,
as that nation in general has no superfluity of money.
The Earl of Stratern, to propitiate the royal favour, as he
still remains in disgrace, has decided to renounce the title
he has borne hitherto of Earl of Stratern, as belonging alone
to descendants of the blood royal and the royal kin in Scotland,
and in the future he will be called the Earl of Montil. It
is not unlikely that this act of humiliation will make his
peace for him and bring him back before long to enjoy his former
positions.
The Mayor and aldermen of this city went to congratulate
the queen at Richmond on the king's coronation and to wish
her a happy delivery. At the same time they presented her
Majesty with a cup of solid gold, worth 1000l. sterling.
A courier from Germany, sent to the secretary Cuch and
passed on to Scotland has left letters here for one of the
ministers. In spite of the apparent trend to the contrary from
the resolutions taken at the assembly at Heidelberg, at which
Oxestern took part, as director general of the Swedish forces
in Germany, they seem to think that some accord between the
imperialists and the Protestants is at hand, since it appears
that by the last armistice arranged by Saxony with Valestain
much more progress was made towards a composition, that
Elector and even Brandenburg showing great inclination thereto,
to such an extent that among the lords here there is talk
of some project for articles which are thought to approach
very nearly to a conclusion. The Resident of Denmark here,
also, although he has left his office, has very recent letters
from that Court, which dilate upon the great hopes there are
that the interposition of that king may give rise to a general
accomodation in Germany, and that he alone will obtain the
honour of it. In conformity with this the lords here intimate
that they have advices from Flanders, and the deputy Brasser
says the same, from which it appears that although the royal
deputies still remain in Holland, yet the affair of the truces
seems to be involved in difficulties which are considered insuperable
upon the point of free trade for the Dutch in the
Indies. The English Agent writes from Brussels that the
Spaniards would gladly pay a good sum of money to the Dutch
if they could arrange the restitution of Fernambuco in the
articles.
While they praise here the application of the French to
provide for the needs of Rhaetia, they would like to see them
equally speedy and resolute. It seems, from the talk of the
ministers here that the patents for the Duke of Rohan do not
suffice, unless they are accompanied with enough ready money
for the levies. Meanwhile the great sum of money that France
will be able to get together shortly is announced to the general
astonishment, and the amount would hardly seem credible if
one did not receive confirmation from several quarters.
The last despatches I have received from the Senate are of
the 23rd June.
London, the 22nd July, 1633.
[Italian.] |
July 23.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Zante.
Venetian
Archives.
|
179. Zuans Basadonna, Proveditore of Zante, to the Doge
and Senate.
On the 23rd ult., old style, the Captain Pasha arrived at
Negroponte with all his fleet, numbering seventy galleys. He
proposed to remain some days for provisions of food and men.
He found two English ships at Rodosto, a short way from
Cassandra, lading wheat. In fighting them the fleet lost many
men, as shown by the enclosed paper.
An English ship arrived yesterday in this port from Syria
bringing Sig. Sagredo. He reports that they met six bertons
of Algiers off Gozo, and fought them for three hours. They
separated at night and were let alone, the bertons having suffered
severely. According to a slave who escaped from them, they
mean to spend all the summer in these waters. I have informed
the Proveditore of the Fleet.
Zante, the 23rd July, 1633.
[Italian.] |
|
Enclosure.
|
180. On the 13th July, 1633.
There were forty galleys and a Maona at Negroponte, with four
bertons, two of 30 guns each. Two English ships lading wheat at
Rodosto, on hearing of the approach of the fleet, left for Cassandra,
a more open place, and cast anchor. The Pasha came up and forthwith
ordered Memi Passogli, Bey of Rhodes, to board them. The
Bey said it would be best to smash them first by gun fire.
The Pasha retorted that they need not be so unenterprising
(faichi). The Bey and Pasha thereupon proceeded to board
them In the fight the Bey was slain as well as the new
Bey of Scios. The Pasha's galleon struck the ship violently
with its beak, so that the beak penetrated the side, and the
English made it fast so that it could not draw out. The
Pasha's galley was then reduced to a wreck by artificial fire,
and the Pasha escaped to another. As the fight proceeded the
other galleys cut away the beak and the tackle, and then
three galleys towed it away from the ship. As a multitude of
men was about to board the ships, the captain threw a handful
of money on to the deck, and while the Turks were engaged in
picking it up, he opened fire on them with his guns on the
upper deck, and destroyed them all. The Turks then decided
not to board the ships, but as the galleys continued the fight,
the captains of the ships set fire to them and burned them.
The fleet lost about 1500 killed and as many wounded. The
Pasha sent to Constantinople because the English ambassador
made complaint, representing that the ships were not wrong
doers. The Pasha stated, however that he had found three
Turks in the ships, as slaves and that the ships were engaged
in lading wheat. While the ships were burning, the sailors
took to the sea, and they captured some sixty sailors, a captain
and purser, whom the Pasha sent to Constantinople. When the
Pasha threatened to hang the captain he said that he had
16,000 reals in the houses of some Greeks. He could not give
their names, but would point out the houses, and so he got off.
[Italian.] |
July 28.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Signori
Stati.
Venetian
Archives.
|
181. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in the Netherlands,
to the Doge and Senate.
Colb, the Administrator's gentleman, has left for Heidelberg.
He previously received a general but courteous reply
that the States would always be ready to help when they saw
England doing something, and meanwhile they would support
the Swedes, which amounted to the same thing as the Palatine
House. Colonel Dublas is waiting for him at Vezel, so that
they may proceed together towards the Palatinate. They reckon
that 4000 foot and 400 horse will be required to garrison the
fortresses there.
Bosuel the English resident, has set out to day to take the
robes and order of the garter to Prince Charles.
The Hague, the 28th July, 1633.
[Italian.] |
July 29.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
|
182. Vicenzo Gussoni, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
With the despatch from Scotland fresh royal commissions
were recently sent to Anstruther. They charge him to make
the strongest representations to Saxony in particular, to keep
him as well disposed as possible towards the Protestant princes,
so far as any conclusion of negotiations arranged with the
imperialists may be concerned. I am also assured on good
authority that they have added to the despatch that Anstruther
must take care that he utters no word or expression
from which that Elector might conclude that he wished in any
way to dissuade him from an accomodation, but they admonished
him to insist and merely remind the Elector that the peace, if is
to be acceptable, must be good, secure and universal, bringing
back the position in Germany to what it was fifteen years ago.
The opinions of the ministers here seem at present to move very
much in conformity, and everyone appears to consider some
adjustment near at hand. They also seem to hope that
Volestain will not succeed in separating Saxony and Brandenburg
from the others, who are equally interested. Their chief
preoccupation here consists in seeing that the affair of the
Palatinate is adjusted in a proper manner. To this end they
have directed Anstruther, if the occasion requires it, to proceed
to the King of Denmark also, from whom they hope for the
most favourable assistance and interposition for the interests in
question.
In the mean time they are contemplating here some extraordinary
provision of money for the service of the Princess
Palatine and her eldest son. But as, in the present state of
affairs, it is a very difficult matter to obtain more from the
king's purse, besides the recent contribution of the 15,000l.
sterling, they would like, although without convoking parliament
and without imposing any taxation, to obtain a voluntary
aid from this kingdom, which they call a benevolence here.
This was done in the time of the late king for this same
affair of the Palatinate, and they reckon that it may amount
to the sum of half a million of crowns. The demand is to
be made, not in the name of the king, but of the Princess
Palatine, in the manner already adopted for the same emergency.
Although this matter is far advanced, since all the letters and
orders to be sent throughout the kingdom have already been
signed by the king, it has now received an unexpected check,
as they do not find that it meets with the universal good will
and acceptance that they hoped. Indeed this move seems to
have aroused fresh murmurs among the people that it is not
proper to disburse money by any other way than that of parliamentary
ordinance. But however greatly the convocation of
that body may be desired by the people, it is equally abhorred
by his Majesty and the leading ministers for well known reasons.
The generality are anxious as to what the Court may decide
in this matter, which involves such important consequences. (fn. 10)
The king's return is at hand, and the preparations in progress
at the pleasure resorts at no great distance from this
city confirm the popular rumours that it will take place next
week. The queen has had a number of coaches disposed beforehand
in several places, so that his Majesty may travel post by
them, as he proposed to do.
The Polish ambassador, in his determination to remain incognito,
has avoided occasions for seeing the queen, and upon the
same pretext he would not be visited by the Dutch Agent here,
who was unaware of his decision and went to pay his respects.
He has now left the city, and I am told that unless further
commissions reach him he intends to pursue his journey home.
The English Agent at Brussels writes home that the negotitions
with the Dutch are progressing with great strides, and
the Deputy Brasser here does not deny that they have been
taken up again with greater insistence by the Brabant deputies,
since their last return, by command of the Infanta not less
than by order of their High Mightinesses.
The last letters from the Senate to reach me are dated the
30th of June.
London, the 29th July, 1633.
[Italian.] |