Venice: July 1633 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 23, 1632-1636. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1921.

'Venice: July 1633', in Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 23, 1632-1636, (London, 1921) pp. 119-131. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/venice/vol23/pp119-131 [accessed 25 April 2024]

July 1633



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.]