|
|
Sept. 1.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Spagna.
Venetian
Archives. |
535. Giovanni Giustinian, Venetian Ambassador in Spain,
to the Doge and Senate.
With reference to the reports spread by the ministers here
about an approaching alliance with England, the English secretary
not only refrains from countenancing the notion but states
publicly that unless some compromise is found about the Palatinate,
everything will be broken off.
Madrid, the 1st September, 1635.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 7.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
536. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
The Secretary of State has sent off il Teller, the gentleman
nominated by the king to go to Germany and perform the function
decided upon with the emperor, touching the interests of the
Palatine. He left here last week.
His instructions have been slightly changed, but they are
substantially the same as I reported. By this step they think
here that they have done enough, and they do not seem inclined
to trouble any more about the matter until they hear something
of the results, especially as they believe the Most Christian to
be so far committed that he will not be able to abandon the
conduct of the affair, and this belief is encouraged by the relief
of Franchendal by the Cardinal la Valette. This event raises
their hopes, to which they abandon themselves the more readily
because they have no inclination to do anything effective on
their own account.
In the same connection the Minister of Savoy told his Majesty
last Sunday that it grieved the duke, his master, to see his
Majesty so deeply insulted by the Austrians. He wished he could
divide himself into two so that he might help his Majesty as
he is helping the Most Christian in Italy, to avenge the injuries
inflicted by the treaty with Saxony. His Majesty merely answered
in general terms, and altho' the Resident's remarks were something
over sauced (un poco troppo picante) he expressed his
gratification and his desire to correspond to the duke's kindness
whenever an opportunity should occur. After this office I am
informed that his Majesty detained the Resident a long while,
reading him letters and discussing other very secret matters.
But it has not been possible to find out the subject of their
conversation.
The orders recently given to General Linze about the fleet
were to replenish his munitions and, without taking on any more
men, to go at once to cruise off Scotland. If he then receives
no further orders, he is to put an end to its activities for
this year. While these decisions were pending the ships of
France have advanced in good numbers, without fear, towards
Calais. They seem in no hurry to go away, their object being
to guard shipping and the coasts of Normandy from the daily
molestation of the Dunkirkers.
A Zeeland ship which reached the ports here the day before
yesterday, confirms the news of the total rout of the Dutch fishing
fleet by the fleet which recently sailed from Dunkirk. He
reports that the Dutch fishing boats numbered over sixty, and of
two larger ships protecting them, one escaped, while the other,
mounting 28 guns, was captured. This event is considered here
as involving considerable consequences, as indeed it does, owing
to the incalculable loss inflicted on the Dutch, rendering their
present needs the more sensible as they are made greater and
more urgent.
Yet another Dutch ship, which was chased by a Dunkirker
right into one of the ports here, was arrested by a squadron
of this fleet. (fn. 1) The Dutch captain himself arrived here yesterday.
He has appealed to the Ambassador Joachimi for the release of
himself and his ship, feeling sure that the ambassador will take
energetic steps on his behalf ; but it is not certain whether he
will succeed, since it is only reasonable that the English should,
once in a way, take some redress for the damage which the
Dutch are constantly inflicting on them without any consideration.
Letters from Danzig of the 16th ult. report the progress made
with the negotiations for a truce between Poland and Sweden.
The news received from that quarter from day to day is always
entirely contradictory.
No courier has arrived this week with news of Flanders and
Germany, and the ordinary packet from Italy is also lacking.
The queen is staying at Richmond to be near the prince, who
has not yet entirely recovered from his indisposition.
I am anxiously awaiting the return of the Secretary Windebank
from Court for the recovery of my servant, who is still a
prisoner, as I would not offer the surety which they demanded.
I have informed myself about the process and I find that while
they were furious to injure my men, yet they all depose with
one voice that they were the first to start the brawl, and
they have also found out the name of the one who committed
the homicide. They have asked me to give him over to justice.
But as he escaped, being fearful from the first, they are very
glad that this has happened. On the other hand, they themselves
admit his innocence and express the intention, even if the king
does not order it, to send him back to me at the first term,
as a matter of justice. Neither the customs nor the laws here
allow me to hope for more, as there is the recent example of
a servant of the Swedish ambassador extraordinary Oxenstern,
who was arrested for a crime, and though absolved, he was
judged by the ordinary forms of justice. I shall try to secure
some advantage, and I do not altogether despair, although when
it is a question of the death of a man, there is no severity
that they do not exercise.
London, the 7th September, 1635.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Sept. 11.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Francia.
Venetian
Archives. |
537. Alvise Contarini, Venetian Ambassador in France, to
the Doge and Senate.
The English ambassador is visiting all the ministers except
the Cardinal, whom he will not meet owing to the pretensions
raised by the late Ambassador Wake. I hear that he is to
perform special offices for the restoration of Lorraine.
Paris, the 11th Sept., 1635.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 13.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Haya.
Venetian
Archives. |
538. Francesco Michiel, Venetian Ambassador at the Hague,
to the Doge and Senate.
A courier from London has caused the Resident to go to
Rhenen to see the Princess Palatine and give the king's answer
to her entreaties. The exact nature of his commissions is not
known, but it is understood that the Princess will not receive
any consolation beyond fair words. Many believe that the mischief
comes from some of the ministers there, all dependants of
Austria.
The Hague, the 13th September, 1635.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 15.
Cinque Savii
alla
Mercanzia.
Risposte.
Venetian
Archives. |
539. The captain of the English ship "Hector" (fn. 2) represents
that he came from London with goods and was refused leave
to depart empty unless he found a pledge not to go to the
Levant ports, and he asks for leave to go without such a pledge.
This ship put in at Leghorn, where it left the most valuable
part of its cargo. It took on board coloured and other stones
and later laded other goods at Zante, coming on here afterwards.
The English merchants here asked that it might have leave to
lade currants at Zante without paying the 5 per thousand. When
this was not allowed they asked permission to lade empty casks
for Zante. This would not be refused if the captain is ready
to give a pledge that he will not lade any goods in the Gulf,
will do no hurt to Venetian ships and goods in the Gulf will
not go to the Levant. But as he said he wished to go to
Syria, the pledge not to go to the Levant was demanded. He
then asked permission to go empty.
We consider the decision of this to be a matter for the Senate.
We do not think it advisable for vessels to sail empty, especially
to the Levant. Thus, in 1626, to encourage Westerners to come
to this city the import duty on goods from the West was halved
and the export duty on many goods was reduced, and leave was
given to lade currants at Zante without paying the duty of 5
per thousand. This ship will have enjoyed these advantages.
The practice of leaving London with full cargoes of various
merchandise and instead of coming straight to this city with
their entire cargoes, to go off to Genoa, Leghorn and other marts
to unlade there the best of their goods, and afterwards bring
the remainder, which they cannot dispose of elsewhere, while
filling their ships with lead, wood, verzin, and other things of
no great moment, a new practice begun by these ships, is not
what was expected of them, and it was not for this that the
inducement of the reduced duty was offered. And now it appears
that they propose to come here for their own advantage solely,
even depriving Venetian ships of the freights from Zante, Cephalonia
and Corfu and then leave here empty. This does not appear
tolerable to us, and especially if it is to go to the Levant,
whither they take coined money and perhaps other goods, since
all the efforts of the Magistrates do not suffice to prevent
smuggling, as we have already discovered by experience in the
case of the English ship "Parangon," which left here for
Ancona, and then proceeded to Constantinople with many goods.
And by these indirect ways the foreign merchants who dwell
here trade with the Levant contrary to the public intention,
afterwards sending to the West the capital which ought to come
here. From this it follows that in Cyprus our ships have nothing
to do, as by this means cotton is taken away from them. It
is the same thing in Syria. If the object of the captain of
the "Hector" is to proceed with the reals from here to Syria,
as we are sure is the case, in order to buy cotton in Cyprus
and gall nuts at Alexandretta, he can provide himself with
those commodities here for the same money. The injury is so
self evident that it is enough to point it out.
Dated at the office, the 15th September, 1635. |
| Alvise Basadonna. |
Savii. |
| Alvise Mocenigo, junior. |
| Pol Antonio Valaresso. |
| Vettore Pesaro. |
| [Italian.] |
Sept. 15.
Collegio,
Secreta.
Esposizioni,
Principi.
Venetian
Archives. |
540. The Ambassador of Great Britain came into the Collegio
and spoke as follows :
My confidence in your Serenity's desire to give satisfaction to
his Majesty and relieve his subjects who trade in these waters
emboldens me to come again to beg you for the despatch of
those affairs and memorials which I commended to you. I feel
sure that your Serenity recognises that trade is human and
necessary and that you will hasten to favour a nation that
esteems you above all others and encourage mutual trade, when
that is so important to a mutual understanding and advantage,
as my king is ready to do.
I have a kindred matter to add, namely the loss and expense
owing to the ship (fn. 3) still remaining in port which a while ago
petitioned to leave empty for the Levant. I ask for its despatch,
why the Five Savii will not give it and to tell me what are
the difficulties, that I may smoothe them away or report
them in England, so that they may be aware of the good
intentions and orders of your Serenity, and that a bad impression
may not be created by the representations of others.
The doge replied that they were anxious to do everything to
please his Majesty. Sometimes things were asked which could
not be granted by the laws, as some of the statutes and laws
in their interests could not be altered. They were not fully
informed upon the things which he asked, but within the limits
of the law they would do everything possible to please his
Majesty and his lordship.
The ambassador said he would like to be informed about the
laws, because what is due and just should always command
assent. The doge said, Let the merchants come with memorials,
and they shall be satisfied. The ambassador bowed and departed.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 17
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
541. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
The day after my last despatch the Secretary Windebank arrived
here from the Court. He told me he had spoken to his
Majesty about the affair between my servants and the people,
and fully set forth the reasons why I claimed the release of
my courier. He told me that the king replied very decidedly
that as a subject had died and he was constantly being bothered
for the punishment of delinquents he did not feel at all inclined
to take the case out of the hands of the ordinary judges,
as it would create too much discontent among the people and it
would be improper to break the laws of the realm in such cases,
which were equally unalterable for all. I told him I was astonished
to hear that, contrary to the practice everywhere, they
meant to judge my servants according to the ordinary forms, as
if the character I bore did not distinguish me from ordinary
persons. The secretary rejoined, The laws of this country are
indeed very different from those of all others, because they make
no distinction of persons, and where a death occurs, and in
this more particularly, where the people have been so much
roused, his Majesty cannot change the ordinary procedure without
prejudicing his own interests.
I replied that this peculiarity of the laws applied to the king's
subjects but not to ambassadors and their dependents, whose
privileges would amount to nothing if they were not outside the
laws. Justice and reason were on my side in this case, but
even if they were not this respect was due to me. I knew that
the matter had been misrepresented from the first. My servants
were unarmed and only acted in self defence. It was only a
natural law to repel force by force. I therefore had good cause
to resent the imprisonment of my servant, especially as I knew
he was innocent. The secretary replied he was innocent in so
far as it had been shown that he was not the actual murderer ;
but he was an accomplice and subject to the same penalty as
the principal, so that he was amenable to the common law and
could not be let off. I then said that I would speak expressly
to the king. He told me I could do so when I pleased, but
I must not complain that he had not warned me that I might
get a disagreeable answer. This gave me cause to consider that
I might meet with some mortifying repulse from his Majesty,
if I spoke to him. To avoid this and because of a slow fever
which has kept me in bed since Sunday, I decided to wait for
what time and repeated offices would effect. But I see no
opening, since nothing has been decided so far by me or the
other ambassadors, who consider the interest a common one,
but I will try to secure something while waiting for your Excellencies'
commands. So far I have not involved the name of
the state in the matter and will not do so without orders.
Meanwhile they have made the concession that the servant shall
be kept in a place apart and not in the ordinary prison. But
this is a small matter since he is to be judged by the common
law, and will only escape the gallows by the king's grace, a
law which seems to me too severe, not to say unjust. It is
certainly an extraordinary thing and almost impossible to believe
that the facts have been proved so entirely different from what
actually took place, by this perfidious and barbarous people,
in a matter of such publicity, and it is impossible to make
it appear otherwise since it is not possible to produce any
testimony except that of the enemies themselves. I hear further
that when the time of the trial comes they mean to demand of
me three or four others, besides the one who escaped. But I
am determined not to yield as I am sure they will not take
them by force.
I have had an opportunity of finding out the contents of the
letters and secret negotiations which were dealt with at the last
audience which the Savoyard minister had of his Majesty. They
contained the ordinary letters of the duke to the king to thank
him warmly for the obligation he had put him under by the
readiness he had shown to devote his offices for the re-establishment
of a good understanding with your Excellencies, upon
which the duke would send full instructions if need were. The
king remarked that the, sooner he heard of the successful issue
of this affair, the better he would be pleased, and he would
always be glad to take it in hand.
The Dutch ambassador went to Court as soon as he heard of
the capture of his ship, and he is still there negotiating, with
what success does not appear. The English merchants here
make trouble for him, since they claim and are trying to get
compensation for the great amount of damage which these same
Dutch have recently inflicted on them.
In the mean time the fleet is engaged in replacing the provisions
of food with all speed, in order to execute his Majesty's
orders without delay, to cruise towards Scotland, always with the
aim and intention, so far as one can understand, although they
proclaim differently to avoid an encounter with the ships of
France.
From France we hear of the recovery of Bingen in the Lower
Palatinate by the Cardinal of La Valette, under the eyes of
Galasso's army at which they are greatly delighted here, since
it confirms the hope of the Most Christian's assistance there.
But no further news has arrived this week.
I have received this week the state despatches of the 2nd ult.
With regard to the offices of the Ambassador Fildin about the
merchants I will endeavour to see his Majesty as soon as he
approaches this city. For my own part I venture to think that
the offices are from the ambassador alone, although he may be
sure of his Majesty's approval. I am confirmed in this opinion
because some weeks ago I had occasion to congratulate his
Majesty, more particularly about the sailing of the fleet. Although
he responded very promptly I noticed that when I first
opened my office the king seemed undecided and as it were
listening to something new to him. I also found that the ministers
also had not the information that was required of them
either, because immediately I was strong enough, and before
speaking to his Majesty, especially as he is so far away, I
thought it a good plan to make some representation in the first
instance to one of the secretaries of state, in conformity with
the instructions sent to me, to see if by that means I could
find out.
London, the 17th September, 1635.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Sept. 18.
Collegio,
Secreta.
Esposizioni
Principi.
Venetian
Archives. |
542. The Ambassador of Great Britain came into the Collegio
and spoke substantially as follows :
Your Serenity's reply to my last office encouraged me to enquire
what the laws demand in such cases as that of our ship detained
here, (fn. 4) so that I might be able to smoothe away the difficulty,
in my zeal to encourage free trading between our states, as is
the case in England and as I believe you desire, though I ask
for nothing outside the law. With all my efforts I have only
been able to find this paper here, which he showed. It was the
decre, about ships of the 31st August, 1602. He asked that an
article of this might be read, and this was done. He said,
Our merchants do not evade but readily submit to the strict law,
but the Five Savii judge differently and mean time the ship
remains in port, I cannot say at how much expense and how
much duty, so that if your Serenity does not intervene I have
no hope of a favourable issue to the affair. If you do so
it will confirm the affection of my king render the whole nation
beholden and encourage it to continue and increase trade.
The doge answered, Trade is precisely what the republic desires
to increase and maintain. For the rest, laws are the
foundation of princes ; they depend upon the magistrates, who
carry them out. The Five Savii in this case had to see that
there was no infringement of the law, and to do justice ; if
there was no infringement, they will let the ship go, but if there
was, they must see that the law is observed. We esteem his
Majesty and shall always prove it by our acts.
The ambassador again referred to the article to which he had
drawn attention. The merchants and those interested in the
ship in question will give pledges and observe that law entirely
provided they are despatched and suffer no further loss.
The doge replied, We do not know about that ; there may be
other laws or decrees. We will send for the magistracy of the
Five Savii and hear how the matter is proceeding, and right
shall be done.
The ambassador then began to speak of Colonel Duglas, and
to recommend his despatch. The doge said they would gladly
accede to his requests, and in this matter they would do everything
possible, but here again the law stood in the way. The
ambassador then bowed and departed.
Immediately after he had gone the secretary sent to the doors
of the Collegio to ask if the orders had been sent for the
dismissal of the ship Hercules, of which the ambassador had
spoken. Reply was made, by order of the Collegio, that they
would send for the magistracy of the Five Savii and enjoin
upon them the observance of the laws.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 20.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Haya.
Venetian
Archives. |
543. Francesco Michiel, Venetian Ambassador at the Hague,
to the Doge and Senate.
The Assembly of Holland met last week. They decided to
choose an ambassador extraordinary for England at the end of
six months. They consider this necessary because of the agreements
with France, but much more from the importance of
preventing ill effects from the unfriendly disposition of that
crown, which they clearly recognise, the news being confirmed
that by the royal order the Dunkirk ships are to be convoyed,
while the English protest loudly about Dutch ships pursuing
Dunkirkers into English ports. Their High Mightinesses deny
the fact and say that the English monarch is hunting for a
pretext for a quarrel, guided by ambition and by some disease
which disturbs his stomach (qualche humoro corotto che conserva
nel stomaco). But they will try and smoothe things over
by a conciliatory attitude, and will try to win the ministers at
any price. They also have ready the presents for that king,
six fine horses, amber, paintings and a large clock.
The Hague, the 20th September, 1635.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Sept. 20.
Cinque Savii
alla
Mercanzia.
Risposte.
Venetian
Archives. |
544. In the matter of the ship "Hector" (fn. 5) licence will be
given for it to go to the west, upon the usual securities, but
there is no precedent for granting one if he says he is going
to the Levant, whether full or empty. There is no security that
the captain will not do as others have done, smuggle out goods.
We have learned from several sources that the ship unladed a
quantity of merchandise at Zante, to be laded again on its return
and disposed of in Cyprus and Syria, whence Western ships are
said to sail and take goods to Zante and the other islands, cutting
out the trade of Venetian ships, which find no cargo. It is clear
that by such means foreigners and the English in particular,
deprive Venetian ships of all hope and our merchants of the
power to trade. We consider that some decree of the state is
needed in order to prevent further ruin.
Dated at the office, the 20th September, 1635. |
| Alvise Basadonna. |
Savii |
| Alvise Mocenigo. |
| Pol Antonio Valaresso. |
| Vettor Pesaro. |
| [Italian.] |
Sept. 27.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Haya.
Venetian
Archives. |
545. Francesco Michiel, Venetian Ambassador at the Hague,
to the Doge and Senate.
The English fleet has stopped a Dutch vessel which was fighting
a Dunkirker in the Narrow Seas. (fn. 6) Their High Mightinesses
call this a kind of reprisals and the beginning of war, which
they fear they may not be able to avoid. They held very lengthy
consultations on the subject all yesterday and to day as well.
Any steps they may decide to take will be strictly gentle in
character, as they are most anxious to prevent ill feeling from
growing, and will do more than they would at another time.
They say plainly that time is not long enough to digest the
poison that these extravagances will generate in the breast of
these Provinces, and some day they will speu them in the face
of England. Others say with great passion that in the face
of these innovations they would do better to try and make peace
with the Spaniards in order not to undergo injury and scorn
from that quarter thro' their patience. Others again say that
owing to the weakness of that kingdom they need not trouble
about the forces of that crown, with no one but themselves to
rely on, and once they were thoroughly defeated they would not
know how to restore themselves again. Such talk shows the
state of feeling in this country ; but they will keep it concealed
until circumstances change.
The Resident of England returned two days ago from Renen,
where he went to see the Princess Palatine, who has since withdrawn
to a neighbouring village because of the plague. He
says he informed her of a union of his king with the French
and these States, in the interests of her House, which in no
way agrees with what one sees. It is considered an artifice
to console the lady, whom he found very distressed, and to keep
himself in countenance, as he always asserted that these Provinces
had no cause for alarm about the English fleet.
The Hague, the 27th September, 1635.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Sept. 28.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Inghilterra.
Venetian
Archives. |
546. Anzolo Correr, Venetian Ambassador in England, to
the Doge and Senate.
After seventeen days of low but constant fever, I am at
last free of it and able to return to my work. I hope that
my omissions will be excused on this account.
In spite of the great reluctance of Baron Astenei, the ordinary
ambassador designate to Spain, to start on his journey at this
season of the year, he has been obliged to go, owing to the
pressure of the Council and the express orders of the king. He
embarked this week on one of the royal ships, which will take
him to Galicia. The Spaniard should be there who has long
been expected to reside at this Court. They say it is arranged
that he shall avail himself of the same ship for his passage
here. (fn. 7) The reason why they have hastened the ambassador's
going is that he may be at that Court at the same time that
il Teller is in Germany, so that they may negotiate in concert
about the Palatinate.
The Resident Nicolaldi here says that he will proceed to
Flanders as soon as the ambassador arrives, to undertake some
important position which he holds in the household of the
Cardinal Infant. He is such a diligent minister, with such keen
penetration so versed in the proceedings of this Court and so
intimate with the most influential in the government that the
Spaniards certainly cannot profit by his removal.
A gentleman of the Queen Mother left here last week after
being busily engaged in secret negotiations for a fortnight.
They say he has gone to Germany to continue negotiations with
Cœsar, and has only left an outline here, but all his transactions
were so secret that I do not think their real marrow can be
reached. Yet the French ambassadors assure me that the Queen
Mother is trying through him to arrange a new league between
the emperor, the king of Spain and his Majesty here directed
against France. They are not sure about the particulars of
the negotiations or of the replies given him, though they suppose
he went away hopeful or he would not have gone to Germany.
It is also very likely, since for the sake of reputation they very
often like to handle negotiations even when they have no intention
of doing anything in reality, that they have pretended
to give ear to the proposals of the queen, without any idea of
proceeding further. But it will be difficult to discover the
real essence of the affair before the return of the Court.
For the release of the Dutch ship seized a fortnight ago in
the Downs the Ambassador Joachimi has followed the king for
ten days through forests and the roughest places, where he was
hunting, but without ever being able to obtain any categorical
reply. (fn. 8) All they tell him is that the matter will be gone into
carefully and justice done which means that the longest way will
be taken, as is usually the case here in all matters of any
importance. But that would matter little if there was any hope
of the restoration of the ship. But the incensed way in which
they speak against the Dutch because of their recent capture
of some English ships shows beforehand that all efforts and
labour will be thrown away. The ambassador, however, uses
strong arguments, saying that if the English have suffered hurt
and loss from certain individuals, so long as they know for
certain that these irregularities were not committed by order
of the States or with their permission, it is not reasonable, before
making official representations for redress, to proceed with
so much resolution to acts of open hostility against their ships
of war, as they have done on this occasion. That is not the
way to respond to the sincere respect which the States profess
for his Majesty, but it amounts to a declaration against them of
a determined and open hostility, without choosing to say a word
and without cause.
But these arguments produce no effect whatever, and it is the
belief of everyone that the ship will ultimately be confiscated.
The Dutch will take this very ill and from what the ambassador
himself said it might sting them to a desire for revenge. The
ambassador told me further that his masters have at last decided
upon sending an ambassador extraordinary here to see whether
by this means, for which they have frequently expressed a
desire here, it may be possible to arrange something about the
old standing negotiations for an alliance. But they themselves
are well aware that this mission will serve for nothing but
appearances, since the difficulties are too arduous and the irritation
of the ministers here too great to allow of any conclusion.
The Ambassador Scudamore reports that his audience of the
Most Christian and his entry into Paris took place with entire
satisfaction and decorum but he could not arrange to see the
Cardinal without agreeing to what all the others did, about
claiming the right hand in his own house. They are sticklish
upon this point here, contending that as minister of the king
the Cardinal cannot make this claim, and as Cardinal they
do not recognise him as anything. Unless they change their
minds, of which there is no sign, the ambassador will not be
allowed to visit him, although they know that it will be of
great advantage for all that occurs at that Court for him to
do so. The examples of the Duke of Buckingham and of the
Earls of Carlisle and Holland, who never raised such pretensions,
although they were ambassadors extraordinary, serves for nothing.
They insist here that the conclusion of the new truce between
Poland and Sweden is certain, and assert that now the king of
Poland is relieved of all anxiety about war he will no longer
delay his marriage with the Palatine princess. For this purpose
they say he will soon be sending ambassadors here, with absolute
powers to settle everything.
A courier arrived yesterday from the Ambassador Fildin, who
says he made the journey in fifteen days. He was eagerly received
owing to the desire at Court to hear news from Italy.
He brought word of the siege of Valenza by the Duke of Chrichi,
of the Duke of Savoy taking the field and other things. I have not
been able to find out what the ambassador's despatches contained.
The prince has recovered from his illness and enjoys perfect
health. The queen sometimes stays here and sometimes in her
houses in the neighbourhood. Her pregnancy causes her much
discomfort. Meanwhile his Majesty has gone a long way off,
hunting in the wildest forests, and there is no hope of seeing
him near here for some time.
I have received your Serenity's letters of the 8, 11 and 18
August with the orders with respect to the trade carried on by
the merchants here in Constantinople, and in particular about
the cloth with fringes (cimozze) according to the Venetian style.
London, the 28th September, 1635.
[Italian ; the part in italics deciphered.] |
Sept. 29.
Senato,
Secreta.
Deliberazioni,
Corti.
Venetian
Archives. |
546. To the Ambassador in England.
The Ambassador Fildin has performed two offices, of which
we enclose copies, that an English ship may have permission to
leave here for the Levant. We enclose a copy of our reply,
made after weighing the damage that would result to our trade
and subjects from such a concession. We send you this information
in case the ambassador writes and complains, as we
feel sure that his Majesty will not expect anything unreasonable
when he knows the true motives for our action in such an
important matter.
Ayes, 119. Noes, 3. Neutral, 7.
[Italian.] |
548. That the Ambassador of the King of Great Britain be
summoned to the Collegio and that the following be read to him :
We are anxious to afford you every satisfaction owing to our
cordial relations with his Majesty, and we have recently made
every effort to smoothe away the difficulties in the case of the
ship "Hercules." But the obstacles in the way are greater than
our desire to gratify you, as if we consented to allow this ship
to go we should be ministering to our own hurt and should
arouse the distrust of our own subjects, who would claim the
same. We feel sure that your Excellency will accept this explanation
in the assurance of our desire to please you in every
possible way.
Ayes, 119. Noes, 3. Neutral, 7.
[Italian.] |
Sept. 29.
Senato,
Secreta.
Dispacci,
Spagna.
Venetian
Archives. |
549. Giovanni Giustiniax, Venetian Ambassador in Spain,
to the Doge and Senate.
The English Secretary is urging the Court to appoint an
ambassador in response to the one expected soon from England.
The object is possibly to obtain some advantage for the Palatine.
The Count Duke protests their readiness to give every satisfaction
about the Palatinate. New proposals have been put forward to
give those princes a pension or some equivalent in Flanders, or
Germany, or else some appointment here. From what the Secretary
says I fancy that England would accept some arrangement
that would satisfy the needs of those princes in a decorous
manner, the chief aim of that crown being to establish them so
that they would have no further need of the regular succour
he supplies. The Secretary seems to consider the restoration of
the electoral vote a great difficulty, and in talking to me seemed
very pessimistic about the Palatine's affairs. No prince in Germany
was willing to help him, and some had shown themselves
hostile. The prince would be wise to make the best arrangements
he could. This indicates that England would agree to any
sort of remedy, however mediocre.
Madrid, the 29th September, 1635. Copy.
[Italian.] |