|
|
Oct. 3.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacoi,
Fiancia.
Venetian
Archives. |
359. Giovanni Soranzo, Venetian Ambassador in France,
to the Doge and Senate.
The English Residents here display their usual resentment
at the progress of His Majesty in Germany. They say that the
Princes there ought to have a good understanding with each
other, as if they have not the Swedes will sell them one by
one. They use this as an excuse for refusing the levies lately
to the Ambassador Oxestiern, saying that these might have been
used against the Princes themselves and if they had granted
levies to the Princes the Swedes might have been jealous, so as
the lesser evil they would not grant them to either.
De Vic recently returned from England, as the Secretary
Zonca wrote, but his colleague Oger certainly assured me on
his oath that it was not so, to prove that he had not deceived
me, and he seems to suspect that I have done them some ill
turn in communicating this.
I find nothing to add to what the Secretary Zonca writes about
the proposed alliance between the two Crowns' and England,
though I believe it will serve as a counterpoise, possibly of
slight value, to the negotiations of the Spaniards. From what
I learn from Sig. Cornaro these are being pressed, forward, and
I propose to see one of the ministers here on the subject. This
will serve two purposes, to discover their attitude to these negotiations,
and to warn them to be on their guard against the
dealings of the Spaniards with that king.
Paris, the 3rd October, 1634.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Oct. 8.
Secreta.
Senato.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
360. Francesco Zonca, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
As the king was engaged upon more serious concerns last
Sunday, he was unable to receive Lord Fildin's offices of leave
taking as had been arranged. This function has been postponed
until the day after to-morrow and meanwhile Lord Fildin has
come to London in order to put the finishing touches to what he
needs for the first stages of his journey, which is arranged for
next week. I seized the opportunity to go and pay my respects,
bid him farewell and wish him all good fortune on the road,
as is usual. I also took occasion to congratulate him on the
distinguished post for which his Majesty has selected him and
told him of the gratification of your Excellencies that the
embassy at Venice would be sustained by so worthy a personage,
and one so closely connected with the Lord Treasurer, for whom
you have a cordial regard. I told him he was eagerly awaited
there, so that you might prove to him your good will and the
devotion of your Serenity to this crown. The ambassador was
much gratified at what I said as he clearly showed by his reply.
This in substance amounted to thanking your Serenity with all
his heart for the good opinion you have of him, which he would
endeavour to deserve by his deeds. He had the particular commands
of the king to demonstrate his extreme friendship for
the republic, which had never been interrupted. No servant
with better intentions had ever left England for the Venetian
state. Finally, in concert with his father in law, equally devoted
to your Excellencies, he had chosen this embassy by
preference to any other employment elsewhere, asserting that
he had received peculiar courtesies and distinctions at Venice on
previous occasions.
He takes with him powers to direct the English ministers in
France, Switzerland and Savoy to the extent that he finds to be
requisite for his Majesty's service. He also has the power to
dispose of Rolandson as he thinks best. For this end he takes
with him a royal letter of credence for your Serenity, so that in
case of need he can make use of that secretary, who will remain
to serve you, and to ask that he may have audience and credence.
He will only stay a short time in France, so he told me, and
even shorter at Turin, and he will hasten his journey as much
as the season permits, so as to get to Venice.
A letter has been written to a minister of the Court here by
a person of quality of the Lower Palatinate, expressing the
apprehension of the people there of the victorious arms of the
King of Hungary. With a touch of resentment and remonstrance
he declared that he fears they will soon be compelled by a
surrender of their native country to the Most Christian to relieve
the English of the tiresomeness of their demands, and themselves
of impatiently awaiting in vain the succour promised so often.
To avoid the risk of being once again and for ever driven away
from their afflicted country if it should fall once more into the
hands of the Austrians, they would prefer to recommend themselves
to the French king ; and the majority of the princes of
those parts would come to the same decision if their party does
not regain strength to resist the forces of the enemy. When
a summary of this letter was presented to the king it seems to
have aroused some spark of generous feeling in his Majesty's
breast and possibly some compunction in his conscience. Or
perhaps, as many say, he was not personally altogether averse
from some demonstration for the support of the Palatine family,
his sister and nephews. Accordingly he sent for some of the
chief men of his Council to ask their opinion as to what he might
be able to do for the defence of the Palatinate and for the
support of the Union in Germany. They all agreed, one after
the other in telling him that these affairs have nothing to do
with England. They ought to consider it a piece of good fortune
that they had not pledged themselves in the past, and consequently
that they were not at present bound to make any open
demonstrations. It would be very unfortunate in his Majesty's
present difficulties ; that the interests of the Palatine can only
be upheld by large forces, and his Majesty was in no position
to prepare them. In the end the angelic goodness of the king
was persuaded to attend peacefully to his diversions and to let the
differences which divide others be settled by those whom they
concern more nearly. All the same, they anticipate here, and
with great vexation that France will profit in Germany out of
the misfortunes of the Swedish party. Everyone is watching
to see what she is going to undertake with such large forces
gathered together.
The Spanish partisans here already menace that kingdom
as if the war in Germany was already ended. Others believe that
the plan will be forestalled by carrying the war abroad instead of
waiting for it at home in their own country. Such is the
nourishment upon which men feed their curiosity in the profound
ease of this island.
The orders published in the Parliament of Paris against the
Lorraine princes (fn. 1) has made a bad impression upon everyone
here, but the king and Court have shown more feeling than
any others. The Ambassador Poygni parries the attack with the
arguments supplied to him, but they do not meet the point.
He also has instructions from his Court to demand the expulsion
from this Court of the Vantelletta, favourite of the queen here,
who had a hand in the intrigue carried on here in the time
of the Ambassador extraordinary Castelnovo, afterwards Garde
des Sceaux in France and of the Chevalier di Giar. (fn. 2) This office
is displeasing to their Majesties, and so the ambassador is beginning
to be looked at askance, without any hope of being able
to obtain what he asks, the king being unwilling, as Poygni was
told, to order his household for the satisfaction of others.
As I have fully and punctually carried out the state's instructions
touching the Savoyard ambassador, I have nothing further
to answer in your Serenity's letters of the 14th ult. which I
received to-day.
London, the 8th October, 1634.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Oct. 9.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
361. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador designate to
England, to the Doge and Senate.
Count Galeazzo Gualdo accompanied me to the confines of
Swiss territory so that he might suffer no further impediment
on his journey. I left him at the entrance into France, where
he took the road for Nancy, on his way to Germany, there
to continue the employment of his talents in accordance with
the public commands. (fn. 3)
The Duke of Rohan has been to see me, in confirmation, he
said, of his devotion to your Excellencies. This morning he
went to find the king, who is engaged in the delights of hunting
some leagues from this city. (fn. 4) For this reason I have had no
opportunity of seeing him and presenting your Serenity's letters.
The Ambassadors Soranzo and Contarini have kept me with
them, wishing me to participate in the splendour with which
they uphold the majesty of the state. To-morrow I shall continue
my journey towards Calais, in order to cross the sea
while this good weather continues.
Paris, the 9th October, 1634.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 10.
Senato,
Mar.
Venetian
Aichives. |
362. In the Pregadi, on 10th October, 1634.
The decision of this Council of the last day of January 1633
not having taken effect, namely that John Hobson, English
merchant, should present himself before the Inquisitor Basadonna
to hear his appeal against a sentence pronounced against
him on the 17th April, 1633, by the Governor of Cephalonia,
leave having been given to that merchant to return to England :
That the appeal upon the said sentence and any other sentence
against him, both civil and criminal, for smuggling, be referred
to the Five Savii della Mercanzia, to be decided by
them, with power to inflict such penalties as they see fit on
the guilty parties.
That the Resident of England be informed of this decision,
and told that the concession has been made to please His Majesty.
Ayes, 68. Noes, 3. Neutral, 12.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 10.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia
Venetian
Archives. |
363. Giovanni Soranzo and Alvise Contarini, Venetian
Ambassadors in France, to the Doge and Senate.
De Vic the English agent, when asked pointedly, denied absolutely
that he had been to London. With the definite information
supplied by the Secretary Zonca, this practically justifies the
suspicion that their secrecy covers some prejudicial transaction.
The arrival of the Ambassador Corraro at that Court will therefore
be most opportune. He only stayed two days here and
left to-day accompanied by Signori Giovanni Alvise, Andrea
Valieri and Giovanni dei Cavalli.
Paris, the 10th October, 1634.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 13.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
364. Francesco Zonca, Venetian Secretary in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
The Ambassador Fildin took leave of their Majesties last
Sunday at Hampton Court and fully discharged all his duties
in the matter of compliments at the Court which is staying
there for some weeks longer. As a testimony of his respect
for the republic he thought fit to come to the embassy here before
leaving, to return my visit. He told me that he had everything
ready for his start, which was absolutely fixed for the present
week or next Monday at latest. He spoke to me with the usual
courteous expressions and declared his utmost esteem for the
republic. He seemed anxious to go and take up his post with
all possible speed. I made a suitable response and aimed more
particularly to increase his existing good will towards the continuation
of cordial relations. The king, who is very fond of
him, both for the still living memory of the late Duke of
Buckingham and out of regard for the Lord Treasurer, his
father in law, had placed at his disposition a sideboard of the
royal plate to use on this occasion, the narrowness of his
fortune joined to a generosity exceeding it, being well known
to his Majesty. But Fildin, with modest excuses, refused the
offer, declaring that he was sufficiently provided.
He will leave with a most distinguished suite, according to
all accounts, and among them there will be a brother of his
own wife, a brother of the Treasurer, and a brother of the
Duke of Lennox, who is at present in Italy. (fn. 5) They may accompany
him to Turin and afterwards stay with him at Venice.
Colonel Douglas, who with the permission of your Excellencies
came here on his affairs, is returning in the ambassador's
company to take up his service. Lord Fildin proposes to hasten
his journey so that he may be able to reach your Serenity soon
after Christmas. He is somewhat apprehensive about the passage
of the mountains for his wife and the other ladies of his
household, and he has some idea of taking the route by Marseilles
to avoid those districts, tiresome, so he calls them, in
that season, and inconvenient at any time.
The Ambassador Joachimi toils incessantly sometimes with
the king and always with the Lords of the Council to obtain
an answer to his proposals, which were referred by his Majesty
to Hampton Court. But whereas at the first blush he persuaded
himself that he would find it easy to obtain some
assistance for his masters, or else feigned to do so, in order
to induce the Ambassador Poygni to support his demands openly,
he now, in the progress of the negotiations, encounters the
usual insuperable difficulties, which he has experienced before.
The king himself told him seriously that he was resolved to live
at peace with every one and to keep himself a general friend,
and he did not wish to be more partial to one side than to
the other. He did not want the House of Austria to advance
to excessive power, but neither was the increase and too evident
aggrandisement of France a thing to desire. He would be glad
to see a universal adjustment, and would much rather employ
himself upon that than in fomenting a war which had been
carried on too long in Christendom. Joachimi replied that a
secure peace would be preferred by every one to the uncertain
events of the war. But it was more difficult to arrange this
than the world believed. If through the present successes of
the king of Hungary, favoured by good fortune, the emperor
succeeds in recovering Germany, as there is every appearance
that he will since there is no one to resist him seriously, his
power will become more formidable than ever, and will cause
anxiety to many princes, hinting that even this kingdom will
not be safe, so wide is the reach of Spanish ambition. Joachimi
goes about spreading these and similar ideas among the leading
lords of the Court, in order to arouse the members of the government
here, if possible to more sincere resolutions, but they
answer in the same way as the king, or with little change,
while some add that things have not gone so far as he states,
and that in any case England has France and Holland as
bulwarks beyond the sea, and the forces of this kingdom are
adequate to defend it against any attack that may be made
upon it. Nevertheless in the Council they have not yet settled
upon their reply to him. But he despairs all the same of making
any impression on the ministry here, grown drowsy, as he says,
in the delights and commodities of the country and in the
charms of peace.
The Ambassador Poygni, who carefully watches the interests
of his king, discovered the other day that a Frenchman named
Oliset, who acts here for the Queen Mother and Monsieur, (fn. 6) was
sending letters to Flanders by Calais, under assumed names, but
directed to the companion of Father Sciantalupe, to arouse less
suspicion. Poygni wrote to the governor there, providing him
with excellent indications by means of which he was able to
possess himself of several packets of these letters of which he
sent copies to the ambassador here and the originals to Paris.
The French agents at Brussels advise the ambassador here
that a certain number of soldiers are passing one by one from
Ireland to fill the ranks of Monsieur's forces, but their number
is not considerable and he is receiving no increase of any consequence
from other nations.
The parliament of Ireland has at last met amid universal
satisfaction. Of their own accord they voted six subsidies to the
king, to be raised in six years, amounting to about 120,000
crowns a year.
I have received the state dispatches of the 22nd ult. to-day
with the sheet of advices.
London, the 13th October, 1634.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Oct. 14.
Senato.
Secreta.
Dispacci
Germania.
Venetian
Archives. |
365. Antonio Antelmi, Venetian Secretary in Germany, to
the Doge and Senate.
They are very anxious about France. The Spaniards are
always telling everyone of their disposition towards peace, while
they are making the most of the time in increasing their forces
and their allies. They are already pressing for levies for Monsieur
in England and Flanders. They are urging the emperor
to send an ambassador to the king of Great Britain to make
an alliance with him, and they talk of employing for this the
Count of Pukan, who was ambassador at Constantinople.
Vienna, the 14th October, 1634.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 20.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
366. To the Secretary Zonca in England.
Your letters of the 22nd ult. have arrived. We are entirely
satisfied with your services and especially with your diligence
with respect to the offices of the Savoyard ambassador. We
enclose advices for your information.
Whereas we understand from your letters that the king does
not wish to declare himself more favourable to one of the two
crowns than to the other, and as it seems likely that an alliance
has already been signed between the emperor and the Catholic
king, while they seem to cherish some hope of advantage from
a good understanding with England also with the House of
Austria, you should be more alert than ever to find out and
inform us of all that you can find out about such notions and
above everything else, what are the real leanings of that crown.
The Duke of Crequi, ambassador extraordinary of France,
left here on Monday without anything being arranged about
the affair of the frontiers. (fn. 7) This is for information.
Ayes, 74. Noes, 0. Neutral, 4.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 20.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
367. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
After I had waited four days at Calais for a favourable wind,
which I found stormy and contrary, it at length calmed down
and allowed me to cross comfortably to the shores of this realm.
I came on yesterday to this city incognito, in order to arrange
the more urgent affairs of the house, and to settle about my
public entry upon this charge. Hardly had I set foot in Dover
than Lord Filden, the ambassador designate to your Serenity,
who had only arrived a few hours before, came to call at my
lodgings. We exchanged compliments mutually. From what
I could see he is a gentleman of most sincere disposition, very
quiet and modest by nature. He said he would stay some days
at Paris and Turin for his own private convenience and to
carry out his Majesty's commissions. He has his wife with
him and a good number of gentlemen, most of whom will
follow him to Italy. (fn. 8) Some will remain this side of the water,
including his brother in law, Lord Weston, eldest son of the
Treasurer, who went to your Excellencies as ambassador extraordinary.
He paid his respects to me in friendly fashion,
and I tried to win his confidence as much as possible.
The Ambassador Poygni has recently presented to his Majesty
the first overtures for an alliance between the two crowns
and the States of Holland. He spoke circumspectly and in
general terms, in order to find out their disposition here and
conduct the future negotiations accordingly. At the first mention
the king said he should like the proposal in writing ; but
the ambassador, who had limited commissions, took it up and
read it, never letting it out of his hand. He apologised for
the commissions he held and said that if the king approved
of his going on he should obtain commissions whereby he could
explain his instructions freely and with advantage. The king
replied that he might carry the whole, without misgiving, to
his Council, which he knew to be loyal and sincere. The
ambassador said he was sure of its loyalty in matters pertaining
to his Majesty's service. This would not be prejudiced if the
substance of foreign affairs was revealed outside the Council.
If this were known in Spain before the matter was established
it would prejudice the interests of the Most Christian without
any advantage. He would show to those commissioners the
means of concluding that alliance, as well as the articles concerning
the service of the public cause and he would arrange
with them all the details for the common satisfaction of the
allies.
The king remarked that he perceived the ambassador had no
authority except for the Most Christian and Holland. He thought
that it was necessary the united princes in Germany should be
joined with them, in order to form a stronger party. The
ambassador replied that the union of these three nations was
strong enough to resist all the efforts of the Austrians. In any
case they could leave a place for those who wished to enter,
in the assurance that the adherents of each one would concur
without the slightest difficulty. However the king persisted
that nothing secure could be done without them, so that the
ambassador was compelled to write to France about his interview
with his Majesty and to wait for fresh commissions from
thence. He is aware, meanwhile, that this pretext is nerely
to gain time, and as evidence of their intention to do something,
although they do not mean to commit themselves to anything
soever. These particulars were communicated by the Ambassador
himself to the Secretary Zonca, with his usual friendly confidence,
which I will not fail to preserve and increase.
The Marquis of Aytona has recently sent word here by extraordinary
despatch of the flight to France of Monsieur with the
favourite Piloran and others, without the queen mother or his
wife knowing anything about it beforehand. (fn. 9) This blow has
staggered the Spanish partisans here, who promised themselves
great things from him. On the other hand the French ambassador,
in gladness of heart, has been to inform the king, queen
and ministers about it, many of whom have not been over pleased
to hear of this blessing from Heaven upon France. This event
was freely discussed in France after I left Paris, and I noticed
that it was followed by every sign of relief on the part of
that monarch's subjects, as even in the public streets men were
seen giving thanks for that blessing from God which had been
so much desired.
The Secretary Dolce, after suffering from indisposition for
some days, against which he struggled hard, was finally obliged
to give in to the fever and remain on the other side of the water.
I left him at Calais in good quarters, attended by faithful persons,
and so I hope he will recover in a few days.
In the mean time the Secretary Zonca will remain with me.
He has shown himself very willing to continue for these few
days to exercise the powers by which he has earned the favour
of your Excellencies during a long period of time.
London, the 20th October, 1634.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Oct. 23.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci.
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
368. Giovanni Soranzo and Alvise Contarini, Venetian
Ambassadors in France, to the Doge and Senate.
News has come from England that the Duke of Lorraine has
written very friendly letters to the king there, begging him
not to allow troops to be raised in that kingdom to his prejudice.
That upon this they not only refused absolutely the Scottish
recruits to Colonel Ebron, (fn. 10) but even stayed the officers who are
there to get them, refusing them leave to return under their chief.
Paris, the 23rd October, 1634.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
369. To the Ambassador in England.
Commendation of his diligence upon the road and note that
he has reached the Court at London, to begin his charge.
Zonca's despatch of the 29th September has been received. To
express to him satisfaction of the Senate at his conduct of
affairs. Forward advices from Italy upon the intention of the
Spanish forces to pass. According to the general opinion they
will go to Marseilles or Toulon. To observe what is said at the
English Court about the return of Monsieur to France and what
they think about it. The Cardinal Infant has informed the
republic by his own hand of his victory at Nordlingen, as
well as of the progress in Wirtemberg and towards the Rhine,
To observe what is thought about this in England and what is
their attitude to the affairs of Germany.
Ayes, 78. Noes, 0. Neutral, 1.
[Italian.] |
Oct. 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci.
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
370. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
The Resident Nicolaldi has complained so bitterly and so
freely about the sentence upon the ship, adjudged to the Dutch,
that it has caused them to send a person named Teller to Spain
to try and get Nicolaldi recalled, and have some one else sent
here speedily in his place. Teller did this with extraordinary
despatch and informed his Majesty that out of regard for his
offices the Catholic had nominated the Count of Humales as ambassador
for this Court, and charged Nicolaldi to proceed to
exercise his duties as secretary to the Cardinal Infant so soon
as the ambassador arrived. (fn. 11) It is thought that his departure
will be hastened, in order to satisfy them here by the prompt
removal of the other minister. Meanwhile the Resident, who
had heard of this decision with bitterness, tries to parry the
blow which he sees about to fall upon his reputation, upon the
pretext that the Infant has desired to profit by his services.
The French ambassador here has been straightly charged by
the last letters from Paris, to repeat his instances for recruits
for the regiment of Colonel Hebron, which his Majesty once
refused. He carried out these orders at once and vigorously,
but could obtain no conclusion or hope. The king's reply was
limited to saying that it was first necessary to wait and see
what was decided in the matter of the alliance proposed to him,
and after that they could decide this matter also. He added
that he might possibly need them himself, possibly wishing
to show the king that if the alliance is not concluded, this crown
may send some troops to Germany, even without France.
Some pieces of silver gilt to the value of 800 crowns have
been taken to the Ambassador Joachimi, in order that he may
transmit them to Holland to the Deputy Brasser, who left here
without the ordinary present, as was reported.
At the beginning of next month they are expecting his Majesty
back in this city together with all the Court. It is believed that
they propose to stay here some weeks.
When I have made my public entry, which I hope will take
place within a week, if no fresh difficulties arise, I shall certainly
not fail to avail myself of this opportunity to have my
first audience immediately. In the mean time the papers consigned
to me by the secretary Zonca, which are those left with
him by my predecessor Gussoni, will serve to instruct me for
public events, just as the results of the remarkable prudence of
so distinguished a senator have increased the memory of his
splendour and distinction.
Two packets have arrived from Italy this week, but neither of
them contained letters from the Senate.
London, the 27th October, 1634.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Oct. 28.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Germania.
Venetian
Archives. |
371. Antonio Antelmi, Venetian Secretary in Germany to
the Doge and Senate.
I am assured that the Duke of Bavaria is not a little disturbed
about the negotiations of the Austrians with England,
for fear of some agreement prejudicial to him about the Palatinate.
Because of this and because it was occupied by the Swedes
last year he has intimated that as he enjoys that state in place
of Upper Austria, given him in pledge by Cæsar, he claims
compensation in Wirtemberg. However he finds considerable
support from France, which has shown its confidence in him
by appointing him governor over their garrisons recently introduced
into Philipsburg. It may be inferred that the Austrians
will have to move very cautiously about the disposal of the
Palatinate. In any case the Austrians are cultivating Bavaria.
Vienna, the 28th October, 1634.
[Italian.] |