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Feb. 1.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni.
Corti.
Venetian
Archives.
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421. To the Ambassador in England.
With regard to the suggestion about sending fresh inhabitants
to Istria and to grant them untilled lands, we consider that the
expense would be heavy and the difficulties great. We direct
you to commit us to nothing beyond a consideration of the special
conditions of the offer, so that we may be able to form a
judgment upon the probability of its success, and take up the
project or reject it, as we may see fit. We enclose the usual
letters with advices. Your letters have not yet arrived this
week.
Ayes, 70. Noes, 2. Neutral, 3.
[Italian.]
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Feb. 3.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
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422. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
In my anxiety to obtain the information for your Serenity
I have been trying to discover the particulars contained in the
articles and proposals for an alliance recently presented to his
Majesty by the Ambassador Poygni. I was afraid that if I
asked them of the ambassador himself I might be suspected of
excessive curiosity and so upset or affect to some extent the
confidence which I have won witih him. So I gave up this
idea, but by means of an individual who is friendly with me,
and who is engaged in affairs of state, under a pledge of
secrecy. I have found out the substance of it. It is this, that
the Most Christian and the United Provinces of the Netherlands
in the treaty made between themselves, have arranged to include
therein the King of Great Britain, as their good neighbour and
ancient ally, if he is willing to enter. In the following articles
they agree that the king and the United Provinces shall bind
themselves to maintain the Prince Palatine in his fortresses of
the Palatinate, except as regards the electorate and the treaty
which may be made for a general peace in Germany, which
must be referred to the Electors of the Empire. To the end
that the interests of the Palatine may be safeguarded in every
particular and to put an end to all future claims that may be
raised to the contrary, his Majesty will undertake, at the time
of a general treaty in the empire, to do all in his power to
see that the Duke of Bavaria is satisfied with respect to any
claims which he may have upon the states of the Palatine, but
in such way that no prejudice shall result to the Prince Palatine.
The king and the United Provinces bind themselves not to
make any peace with the emperor or the King of Spain until
the emperor shall have first removed the imperial ban published
against that prince, and they promise to defend the Palatine
against all who in the future shall attempt to molest him in
the possession of his dominions.
If the dominions of the King of Great Britain are attacked
by any one soever because of the present treaty, or by reason
of assistance which he supplies to the Prince Palatine, or for
any other cause soever, the Most Christian and the United
Provinces may not assist the enemies of the King of Great
Britain, indeed they will defend his states at their own cost
with such number of men as shall be agreed.
Similarly, if the states of the Most Christian or those of the
United Provinces are attacked by any one soever by reason
of the present treaty made with the King of Great Britain, or
for the assistance which they promise to the Prince Palatine,
or for any other respect, if they have need of ships, she King
of Great Britain will see that they are provided, newly armed
and equipped, in his ports, in number as shall be agreed, and
he shall assist them with such quantity of men, at their cost,
as shall be agreed.
The two kings shall promise in good faith by the present
treaty not to grant any assistance of men, money or ships,
directly or indirectly to those against whom they shall have entered
upon open war, but will show themselves in everything
in the manner that becomes good neighbours and allies ; and
finally, to demonstrate the goodly affection of the two kings
towards each other, they declare in the present treaty that they
renew and confirm all the things contained in, the last treaty
of peace made between their Majesties, with the object of
enlarging ever their good friendship, confederation and alliance.
These proposals were laid by his Majesty before the Council
and were carefully considered by them. They informed the
ambassador by the Secretary Cuch that before opening negotiations
his Majesty would wish that to the first article they should
add that the Most Christian and the United Provinces should
undertake not only to maintain the Prince Palatine in the
possession of the fortresses of the Palatinate, but in what concerned
the interests of the electorate also. As the Most Christian
did not wish to offend the Duke of Bavaria in this matter the
ambassador replied that at the moment when a general peace
is in negotiation in Germany the king, his master, would not
fail to do everything in his power to the end that the Prince
Palatine should obtain satisfaction in every particular, and without
this adjustment of this point he for his part would never
come to any agreement over the rest.
The secretary took this back to the Court and it was decided
to depute commissioners to treat. From what they themselves
have told me the Earls of Carlisle and Holland will be two of
them. But up to this moment they have not informed the ambassador
of anything further. In the mean time he is ready,
armed with good arguments, waiting for overtures to be made
to him, in the hope that it will be easy for him to bring them
to a successful conclusion, of which he says he has not the
smallest doubt were it not that the disinclination of the ministers
suits so ill with the favourable intentions of the king ; nevertheless
as they are not asking for the expenditure of any money,
which is a question that is apt to upset any affair, no matter
how serious, and especially as the interests of the king's nephews
are so closely involved, the ambassador has every confidence in
a conclusion.
In the mean time some hint of this affair has leaked out, although
obscurely at the Court and the more speculative spirits
go about spreading the idea that the excessive power of either
of the two crowns ought to be equally suspect to England ;
that the principles of good government teach them to endeavour
to keep the forces of their neighbours as nearly balanced as
possible, and not to give encouragement to the more powerful.
This kingdom had always been well governed on such principles,
and they ought not to change good maxims at the present time.
This is the language employed by those who are naturally ill
disposed towards the interests of France, but who wish to hide
these sentiments behind the veil of zeal for the welfare of the
state. Although these are the utterances of prejudiced persons,
which do not reach the king's ears, or if they do have little
influence over him, yet as they agree with the most authoritative
opinions of the ministers, they cannot fail to have a most
mischievous effect.
The merchants here, having heard that the choice of an ambassador
to Constantinople may fall upon the Earl of Embi,
father of the Ambassador Fildin, are going about intimating that
they would desire the selection of one of their order, as the
chief functions of that office consist in mercantile affairs, and
a nobleman of the Court, inexperienced in trade, cannot assist
their interests as well as a merchant of experience. As his
Majesty has not yet come to any decision upon the subject they
are very hopeful that he will gratify them.
I have received this week the state despatches of the 3rd
January.
London, the 3rd February, 1634. [M.V.]
Postscript : With respect to the instructions of the 22nd December,
just received, with regard to the negotiations for an
alliance between the French and Dutch and this crown, I have
always sent the fullest information that I have been able to
discover.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
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Feb. 8.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Haya.
Venetian
Archives.
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423. Francesco Michiel, Venetian Ambassador at the Hague,
to the Doge and Senate.
The Dutch are still suspicious about the naval preparations in
England. Many say that the king there devotes himself to
pleasing the Spaniards, for his own interests alone, and that
he intends to support the forces commanded by Santa Croce.
The French complain and the Dutch express astonishment at
the grant of levies in Ireland to the Spaniards at the first
request, when the French have received no reply of any value to
their repeated offices on the same subject. The lamentations
of the Princess Palatine chime in with these voices, as she
gets no consolation or help from her brother.
The Hague, the 8th February, 1634. [M.V.]
[Italian.]
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Feb. 9.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
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424. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
The Dutch ambassador, whom I chanced to meet in the Court
here, being provoked by me to talk about the particulars of the
alliance which he is negotiating with the ministers here jointly
with the French ambassador, told me that the matter tends to
become more lengthy and more difficult every day. More lengthy
because until the arrival at this Court of the Sieur de Seneter,
the ambassador extraordinary designate of the Most Christian,
he does not see any indication that they can make any further
progress. Difficult because the king shows very scant inclination
that way. At the last meeting the ambassador assures me
that he spoke these very words : the arms of France have Fortune
too much in their favour. I do not see how it can he a good
thing to afford them encouragement. Some balance was not a
bad thing for powers which advance excessively. The ambassador
told me he had replied that the greater part of their hopes for
the maintenance of the public cause rested at present upon the
valour and strength of the French sword. The peace recently
established between Cœsar and Saxony (fn. 1) would form a considerable
counterpoise and one that might compel then to put
aside all slowness in thinking and all negligence in acting.
Upon these grounds, said the ambassador, I infer that there is
little solidity in the affair. The interests of the Spaniards are
too deeply rooted in the minds of the ministers here, but we must
not give up, because by assiduity in negotiating the very difficulties
become easy and surmountable in the end.
At this point, while commending his sound ideas I thought
it a good opportunity to serve your Excellencies, and so I
began to tell him that I heard with great regret of the difficulties
which this important and advantageous affair was now
traversing. Being guided in my proceedings by the maxims of
your Serenity, who desired the most complete success for the
common cause as well as for that of his masters, I had never
failed to make opportune representations to the ministers here
which would serve the common interest, and I would not fail
to continue to do so in the future with even more energy,
especially with those with whom I found or where it was intimated
to me that it was most necessary. The ambassador commended
in the warmest manner the friendly disposition of your
Serenity and thanked me for my offer, of which, he said he
would not omit to inform his masters, feeling very sure that they
would remember their obligation to the most serene republic
for so great a favour.
The French ambassador, although ill pleased and rather dashed
at seeing business pass away from him in the midst of negotiations
and the sending of another ambassador, yet tries to do
all he can, but so far I have not found out anything more
beyond the commissioners deputed for him. These will be the
Lord Treasurer, the Earls of Arundel, Carlisle and Holland, and
the two secretaries of state. The ambassador says that they
form such a mixture together that he may fear the bad and
hope for the good. But as a matter of fact, apart from the
Earl of Holland, whose heart seems quite French, the others,
by common belief, are much more disposed to Spain, and it is
most certain that as they would like in general to see the conclusion
of this affair postponed as long as possible, they were
very glad to hear of the nomination of the ambassador extraordinary
of France. They think that he will hasten his departure,
in spite of the incident between him and the Count of
Soissons, recently, of which they hear confusedly here. (fn. 2) They
hope, in any case, that he will be preparing in the mean time
to make a worthy appearance at Court ; the ambassador expected
from Spain may be hastened on for this purpose. With the
counterpoise of the offices and proposals of the latter the business
may vanish away in the end, and this kingdom be left
to enjoy undisturbed its fortunate calm amid the grave agitations
of the world.
Thus with the sole object of gaining time the king asked
Poygni to show him the articles of the alliance recently established
between the Most Christian and the States, which are
mentioned at the very outset of the project which his Majesty
has received. But as the ambassador had not got them he said
he would send for them to France, and the king said he would
wait for them.
The Spanish ship captured by the Dutch at Havana, which
took refuge from a storm in the port of Monsbai, being warned
by the Ambassador Joachimi of the arrest which the Spanish
Resident had obtained against it, to avoid the ill fortune of
being seized in the port, put to sea, in the hope of continuing
its voyage. But where it hoped to find the safer way of deliverance
it encountered a worse fate in another furious tempest,
in which it perished miserably. (fn. 3)
A secretary of the King of Poland, come from the Hague has
been staying here incognito for some days. He now frequents
the Court quite frequently, and often sees the king and the
ministers, but it has not been possible to discover anything else
about his negotiations, it being kept very secret, except that
it is some business for the marriage of his king to the sister
of the Prince Palatine.
A gentleman (fn. 4) of the ambassador extraordinary of Sweden, who
is expected here, arrived also the day before yesterday in this
city for private affairs of his master. When he has discharged
himself of these he says he is to go to the Netherlands to
meet him. Meanwhile he goes about circulating a report that
in addition to the other matters which the ambassador is to
treat of he has some commissions to negotiate for a marriage
between the daughter of the late King of Sweden and the
Prince Palatine. (fn. 5) But they attach little credit to this here,
and it would indeed seem worthy of note and miraculous if
after the long and terrible misfortunes of that afflicted house
it were seen to rise in a moment, one may say, to the utmost
felicity and greatness by two such strokes of fortunes.
The news has reached me to-day that my despatch of the
26th January was lost with the shipwreck of a barque which was
taking it. I hope that the duplicate will have arrived safely.
The courier and ordinary arrived yesterday from Italy, but
brought no letters from the Senate.
London, the 9th February, 1634. M.V.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
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Feb. 15.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Haya.
Venetian
Archives.
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425. Francesco Michiel, Venetian Ambassador at the Hague,
to the Doge and Senate.
The states are watching the movements of England, as report
says that the king there means to claim absolute dominion at
sea, and that the Dutch must recognise his jurisdiction, and
that even their fishermen must pay tribute. If this be so a storm
may be feared, as the States do not admit any impediment at sea.
They say that the Spaniards are persuading the king to use this
pretext to trouble these Provinces.
The English here, at the news of the appointment of a French
ambassador extraordinary to England, express their doubts of
his receiving any satisfaction, as their king is as resentful as
ever over the alliance of France with Bavaria to the disadvantage
of the Palatine his nephew. However the Princess Palatine
says that she does not find her brother so affectionate (questa
Principessa Palatina pero dice non riconoscer il fratello cosi
affetionato).
The Hague, the 15th February, 1634. M.V.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
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Feb. 16.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
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426. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
The gentleman of the ambassador of Sweden who arrived
at this Court last week, with orders to go afterwards to meet
the ambassador in the Netherlands, soon after his arrival received
from the kingdom of Sweden and from the allied Princes
of Germany, letters for his Majesty and instructions to stay
here to act as their Resident. In this capacity he proceeded
without delay to the king, by whom he was graciously received
with every demonstration of honour. In the course of the usual
Court visits he came the day before yesterday to call upon me.
He told me that he had instructions from Sweden and from the
Princes his masters to assure me of the great value they attached
to the friendship of the most serene republic and to prove it by
his acts. I thanked him and assured him of the friendliness of
your Excellencies to their interests. I asked him if he expected
the ambassador soon. He told me, Yes, and that his chief
function was the ceremony of restoring the order of the Garter
belonging to the late king. This minister really seems very
anxious for friendly relations with me, privately as well, and
I shall not fail to encourage him to the utmost. I have also, by
another way, tried to penetrate into the most secret part of his
instructions. I find that at present he has no other commissions
except to watch what they are doing here with regard to the
affairs of Germany, and to endeavour, when opportunity offers,
to advance the interests of the party as much as possible.
The surprise of Filipsburg, which was spoken of in whispers
here last week, now seems to be absolutely confirmed by the
news from several quarters. (fn. 6) The Dutch ambassador considers
it certain, and altho' the news is not in itself good, yet he is
not sorry about it, as he hopes that this striking success may
force the king to come to the declaration of an open breach with
the Austrians, beyond recall. The news of this event has made
a great impression upon his Majesty, as he foresees the consequences
to the interests of the Palatine, which are threatened
with imminent and utter ruin. When discussing these circumstances
with the Earl of Arundel I tried hard to demonstrate
to him by the most for the arguments that the moment was
singularly opportune for the establishment of the alliance with
the crown of France and the States of Holland, in order to secure
the safety of the dominions of the Prince Palatine, and he did
not disagree with me.
Meanwhile with respect to this affair they announce that the
Ambassador Senetere will soon be here. There have been no
further negotiations, only the commissioners have intimated to
the Sieur de Poygni with the purpose of wasting time by weaving
sophistries, that they would rather treat of the question of assistance
with France than jointly with the States. To this the
ambassador replied that he had no power to alter the proposals,
which had only been laid before his Majesty by virtue of others
agreed upon between the king, his master, and the United
Provinces, and if they now really wish it so, it will be necessary
to alter the project and to change in great part the substance
of the conditions themselves, in all probability. This would
involve considerable and harmful delays and countless difficulties
as well. Meanwhile both of the ambassadors realise
that this suggestion was only raised for the purpose of introducing
complications into the negotiations of Seneter himself
in so far as they are concerned with this affair. All the same
they do not fail to fortify their arguments with the incident
of Filipsburg and to use every possible means to bring about
a successful conclusion to this negotiation.
The Secretary of Poland left for the Hague last Wednesday. In
substance his negotiations did not extend beyond the affair of the
marriage. By order of the king, his master, he asked the opinion
and consent of his Majesty upon this, and if it is approved by his
parliament, which is to be held soon at Warsaw, and is recognised
as advantageous, he will proceed to carry it out. It
has not been possible to find out exactly what his Majesty's
answer was, but it is thought to have been favourable, and a
very safe index of its tenor may be gathered from the lips of
the secretary himself, who let it be understood that he would
soon be back, and might bring the most desirable and pleasant
news.
The state despatches of the 19th January reached me yesterday.
London, the 16th February, 1634. [M.V.]
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
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Feb. 23.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives.
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427. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
During these last days of carnival there has been little room
for business amid the dances, comedies and other pleasant diversions.
The Court has been fully occupied with these and in
particular with the representation of a masque, which the queen
has repeated three times, set out with the most stately scenery,
machines and dresses. (fn. 7) The king will go to Newmarket at the
beginning of next week. He says he means to stay there all
this Lent, devoting himself entirely to the pleasures of the chase.
The queen has not yet decided where she will go, and remains
doubtful because of the inconveniences of that country.
This absence of his Majesty cannot fail to prolong all the
matters at present in negotiation, the division of the Court
tending to make the conduct of them very difficult.
The Resident of Spain had audience of his Majesty yesterday to
whom he presented letters from his king, which merely contain
the news of the birth of a daughter. After the king had read
the letter the Resident remained for some time longer, but I
have not yet been able to discover what business he had.
The contributions for the fleet are practically all paid already,
extraordinary rigour having been shown in collecting them.
The outcry against this imposition, which was universal
at first, although founded on the great partiality which they
say was shown in the continuation, would yet have practically
died away, had not the king aroused them anew by laying hands
on some parcels of this money and employing them on other
things as he happened to fancy. The whole city cries out
about this and complains bitterly, the more so because the
preparations are seen to proceed very deliberately, and so tepidly
that there is good reason to fear that they have little intention
of carrying the matter through, and have merely used this pretext
to enable the king to obtain what will be quite a considerable
sum of money (le contributioni per Varmata restano di gia
quasi intieramente esborsati essendosene con estraordinario diligentissimo
rigore pressata Vessatione. Le indoglianze che da
principio per questa impositione si udivano universali, ancorche
fondate da gran partialità che dicono essersi usate nella continuatione :
ad ogni modo quasi del tutto sarebbero restate sopite
se il Re, col metter le mani sopra particolari di questa raggione,
impiegandole in altre cose di suo gusto, non le havesse risvegliate
di nuovo : di cio esclama et si lamenta acremente la citta
tutta, e tanto piu, quanto che rede le preparationi per la
medesima armata andarsi molto lentamente facendo, anzi con
fredezza tale che non teme fuor di ragione che vi sia poco
pensiero di perfettionarla, et si habbi con questo pretesto voluto
coprire il Re, per venir al possesso di questa, che sara ben
rilevante summa di denaro). But these are only the timorous
suspicions of the people ; and appearances go far to indicate the
contrary, and a good number, if not quite all of the ships that
were decided upon will certainly be ready by the spring. The
States of Holland, who still remain uneasy at the reports of
such preparations, have duly intimated to his Majesty that their
captains have express instructions, when they meet the royal
ships, to lower their topsails as a sign of the respect they
recognise to be due, declaring that they are attached above all
things to a union and good relations with this crown.
A Dutch ship which had made a rapid passage from Brazil
touched for a few hours at the port of Dover and left word there
of the capture recently made by the Dutch of the town of
Periba, with the three forts which guarded it, and in consequence
of a very large tract of open country, (fn. 8) so that now only
the Bay of All Saints remains in the hands of the Spaniards
out of all the considerable posts of that Province.
I have recently learned on good authority that in the marriage
proposals made by the secretary of Poland to his Majesty, they
had inserted as a leading article that his Majesty should bind
himself to grant facilities to the King of Poland, though at
his own expense to provide himself in this kingdom with all
the ships and men that he might require for scouring and securing
the Baltic Sea against the rigorous impositions of the
Swedes. That the king's reply was favourable may be conjectured
from what the secretary said at his departure, but it
cannot be positively asserted.
A courier sent specially from Paris to his Majesty arrived on
Tuesday with news of the unexpected arrest of Duke Pilorans
with five others of the following of Monsieur. (fn. 9) Here the event
has caused great astonishment to everyone and they are waiting
with impatient curiosity to learn the motive for this step. People
say that it may be for new crimes, but there is no one at
Court who does not praise and commend as most prudent this
action of the Most Christian.
London, the 23rd February, 1634. M.V.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.]
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